In his 1974 hit song, “Oh Very Young,” Cat Stevens writes “you’re only dancin’ on this earth for a short while.” After a years-long struggle with breast and lung cancer, we are sad to report that our Irish Heart has danced her last and is now on the heavenly side of the rainbow. Sharon left us early morning on May 25, 2024 with her family by her side.
Predeceased by her father Daniel, and sisters Anne and Darlene, she is survived by Tom, her caring husband of 50 years, her loving and beloved children Alana (Trevor) and Paul (Andrea) and four fun, wonderful and adored grandchildren — Cara, Erin, Ryan, and Kaitlyn. Also, by her mother Muriel, nine siblings and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be missed by long-time friends from her days in Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Toronto, the Bridgestock cardplayers, painters at the Humber Valley Art Club, the Blue Castle Book Club bibliophiles and neighbours.
Sharon’s love of reading and writing led to a career in the magazine industry, first with NORTH Magazine in Ottawa, culminating with 20+ years at Maclean’s. There, she researched and wrote many articles and cover stories and was presented with a National Magazine Award for journalistic excellence.
Born and raised in Griffintown, Montreal’s historic and close knit Irish community, Sharon remained a proud Griffintowner all her life. Her childhood dream to write about her life growing up in “Griff” was realized with the publication of her book, An Irish Heart: How a Small Immigrant Community Shaped Canada. This national bestseller chronicles her cherished Griffintown in the context of the Irish in Canada.
