Obituary of Sharon Jean Ward

June 1, 1941 – Victoria, British Columbia

October 19, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

Sharon “Shari” Jean Ward passed away peacefully at the age of 81 years on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, with her family by her side, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to Parkinson Canada.  

Shari was predeceased by her husband William Lawrence (Larry) Ward in 2008 after 26 years of marriage. She is survived by daughter Tami Lynn Crane, granddaughters Cassandra Matlyn Crane and Jorjia James Crane of Calmar, AB; and by her stepchildren, Laurie Bryant, Cathy Ward, William Ward, and David Ward, and their families.   

Shari was born in Victoria, BC, in 1941 to Gene Arthur Towers (Sandpoint, ID) and Mildred Margaret Towers (nee Bolton) (Johannesburg, SA). She grew up in Vernon, BC, and always felt that city to be home, although she lived most of her adult life in various districts of Calgary. In later years, she also lived in Calmar and Leduc, before returning to Calgary at the AgeCare facility in her favorite district of Midnapore.

She had a diverse career, mostly in the advertising business, including work at radio stations CJIB in Vernon and CFAC in Calgary, several ad agencies, and the fashion department at Sears.  Although her life was touched by serious adversity during several periods, she surmounted all these challenges and is remembered as a loving wife, mother, ‘Nana’, and a thoroughly nice person who made lasting friendships wherever she went. She kept her distinct sense of humour to the end.

Shari’s stoic endurance in the face of Parkinson’s during her last years was an inspiration to her friends and family, but our preferred image of remembrance is her running a road rally in the Okanagan during her early 20’s, blonde hair flying, in her flashy red MGA sports car.  May her new road be smooth and sunny.