Survived by her husband, Charles; children, Carole (Patrick), Pamela (John), Derek (Joanna); grandchildren, Joseph, Benjamin, Charles; brother, David (Muriel) and sister, Lenora.
Sharon was born and raised in Vancouver. She met Charlie in 1953 as teenagers and they were inseparable until her death. Marriage was delayed until 1960 while they pursued educations in nursing and medicine. She graduated from St. Paul’s Hospital Nursing School in 1960 and was an operating room nurse from 1960-1962. Sharon and Charlie lived in Ghana, Africa from 1963-1965 while Charlie worked as a physician in a military hospital. They toured in Europe for several weeks in the middle of that time. Upon returning to Canada, Sharon was a stay-at-home Mom caring for her children and enjoying all of the friends they brought home with them. Once the children were grown, she returned to nursing, becoming Charlie’s office nurse until retirement in 2007. She volunteered for over 35 years at the Royal British Columbia Museum where she made many friends and significant contributions to the Museum archives. Sharon loved to cook and formed a gourmet group with like-minded friends in 1979. To this day, these friends still meet several times a year to sample new and varied menus from around the world. Her family was the most important element of Sharon’s life as she was of theirs. She spent the last four years of her life courageously battling cancer. She sadly lost her battle on July 8th. We all lost, but we will never forget her.
A Service of Remembrance will be held on Monday, July 18, 2016 at 1:00 pm at The Church of St. John’s The Divine, 1611 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC V8W 2L5.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC Cancer Foundation.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall’s Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
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Embert Van Tilburg
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Lois McPherson (Holdsworth) RN. I am so sad to learn of Sharon’s passing and offer special thoughts and prayers to you her family. I was so pleased to have a visit with her last summer at a celebration of another of our classmates from St. Paul’s. We will have a lunch gathering on Thursday 21st and will toast her with our Memories and Love. She was a special lady. Blessings Lois McPherson.
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Linda Barnes Dear Carole (and Pat, Joe and Ben and all your family)
We were so sad to hear of your Mom’s loss to the terrible battle she fought so long and so bravely. She was an incredible woman, role model for her children and grandchildren, and an amazing contributor to her community. You will always take her with you in your heart, and I know she was so proud of you and your wonderful kids.
Linda and Brad
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Roy Illing I was very sorry to hear of Sharon’s passing. I was a patient of yours, Charles, for many years and got to know Sharon well as your nurse. She was very professional and welcoming. I missed you both after moving away from the area. You were fine people, and I do hope that you are doing well, Charles, and your family also.
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Betty Lee Sinclair Betty Lee Sinclair and John Nichol
July 17, 2016We will always remember Sharon as the most enthusiastic tennis player, even playing with a broken wrist in a tournament. She served on the Board of the Oak Bay Tennis Club for many years as a dedicated member as well as player. She will be missed by everyone who knew her.
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Joan Mogensen Joan Mogensen
July 16, 2016
I was saddened to hear that Sharon is no longer with us. My condolences to all the family.
I joined the docent museum school programme about six years after Sharon and remember being very impressed by her extensive knowledge, especially about the First Nations.
Over the years I learned how talented she was at many things. She was quite a multi-tasker.
She organized a wonderful pot-luck on one of our docent trips and I’ve never forgotten the wonderful wild rice salad she made.
For many years as I waited for a bus to the museum on Cadboro Bay Rd. at Vista Bay Rd. Sharon would come jogging up the hill.
She was intrepid and will be greatly missed.
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thyrza blaze Dear Ireland Family. I will so miss Sharon @ the museum. I last saw her @ the Mammoth Exhibit discussions where she had many ideas to offer. As her health appeared so precarious, I was encouraged by her amazing spirit. A very sad time for all who knew her. I will remeber her spirit & dedication to living, always.
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Don & Mavis Newall Sharon held a special place in our son Colin’s life and we are saddened to hear of her passing. Our deepest condolences to all of her family.
Don & Mavis Newall
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Howard and Jutta Woodland Howard and Jutta Woodland,
We have had the fortune to have been close to the Ireland family for many years. Each Boxing Day, Sharon’s party was a highlight in our year. She always shared her life with us. Her Home was a part of us. Her beautiful children are an example of her understanding of life.
Jutta and I are proud to have associated with the Ireland Family, and our hearts go out to Charlie,Carole,Pam and Derek
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Alberdina Roosegaarde Bisschop Dear Charles,
What a great loss for you, to have to do without the togetherness after so many years, it is almost unimaginable.
What a good and happy life it was.
My warm and sincere condolences to you and your family –
Alberdina Roosegaarde Bisschop. (#159).
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Enid & John Jackson Dear Charlie & family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy on your very sad loss of Sharon.
Enid & John
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Joan Laharty Condolences to all the family. I knew Sharon from the time she started at the RBCM. We worked together often on the projects we were given to do. She always talked about her loving family. I will not be able to come to her service, but I will be thinking of her as I rove the Mammoth exhibit. That was the last time I saw her as we were training. So enthusiastic and appreciated by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
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Tom White Sad news. Sharon organize the first Lansdowne secondary school music parent’s association in 1976 where I taught music. Carol sang in the choir. She was a great lady and raised a wonderful family. Love to all.
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Bob Spring Dear Charlie and family,
I was deeply saddened hearing today that Sharon had lost her battle with that horrible disease. I believe she will now be in a better place, free of all her pain and discomfort. My deepest condolences to all of your family as you go through this difficult time in losing such a lovely wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all who met her.
Bob Spring.
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Jean and Donald Martin We are very sad and will sorely miss Sharon. I loved her enthusiasm on the tennis court and off. She talked about her family often. Please accept our deepest condolences. We will never forget her kindness.
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Helen Money It was fitting, given how much Sharon loved tennis and how she continued to play after such extensive surgery, that some of us players learned of her death on the tennis court on Sunday. We were all tremendously saddened by the news but relieved she was no longer in such pain. John and I have no words to soften your loss but we are thinking of you at this time and wish that there was something we could do. Please call if there is. I have known Sharon a long time; she was lovely, so caring, compassionate and sensible. Take care of yourselves. You are in our prayers. Helen
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Irene Champagne Dear Carole, Pat, Joe, Ben, and all of your family — especially your dad (Charlie): Our prayers and most supportive loving thoughts are with you all. The Champagne girls and I will miss your mom. She was a special Angel… We know that we are continuously blessed by our loving closeness to you, and we were deeply blessed by the care, comfort, food, affection and joy your mom brought to us. We know that all love is endless… We may find some comfort in that. Love never ends.
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Ava Harbut Dear Pam
At this difficult time….expressing deepest sympathy
to you and family in your sorrow.
With each new day my peace find a place in your heart.
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Karen Smith Dear Charlie, Carole, Pam and Derek, my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sharon was a wonderful person, inside and out, my memories will always bring a smile to me. Our family were the lucky ones to have you all as neighbours, and in our life. Oh how she loved family.
Dear Charles, MY very sincere condolences with the death of your wife. I was happy to see that she is a graduate of St.Paul’s School of Nursing. I worked as medical Director for 16 years at that excellent hospital. I admire your stay in China and no doubt you both were highly regarded workers. Sorry to learn that your wife died of cancer (like mine) and must have suffered. You will always be remembered as a dedicated, caring and capable physician. Unfortunately I am anymore in shape to attend the church service. My very best wishes for strength and support from your children. With many blessings sincerely yours, your colleague Embert Van Tilburg.