Obituary of Sharron Arlene Jung

April 7, 1943 - Fort William, Ontario 
February 5, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with profound sadness that the Jung family announces the loss of our beloved Sharron. On Sunday, February 5, 2023, Sharron passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family. She is now freed from Parkinson’s and the related conditions that had tightened their grip on her over the past five years. 

Sharron is survived by her devoted husband Marek; her son, Mark (Karina Kalinowska); daughters, Andrea (David Burghardt) and Justine (Jeff Rains); and her treasured grandchildren, Emma, Joanna, Aleksander, and Maja. She also leaves sisters, Lenore O’Connor (Kelly O’Connor), Denise Hermant (John Hermant), Florene MacLean, and Susan MacLean; brother, Floyd MacLean; and their children and grandchildren.

Sharron was born in Fort William, Ontario, on April 7, 1943. Her family moved to Scarborough, where she grew up and attended high school. In 1963, she graduated with her nursing degree from St. Michael’s Hospital School of Nursing in Toronto and went on to work at St. Michael’s. It was there that she met the love of her life, and where Sharron and Marek’s great love story began. 

Shortly after meeting Marek, Sharron travelled to Poona, India with Cuso International, to care for patients with Hansen’s disease (leprosy). It was a deeply meaningful and enriching life experience that she never forgot, and from which she maintained enduring memories and lifelong friendships. When she returned to Canada in the Spring of 1965, Sharron’s cherished Marek was waiting for her. On July 2, 1966, they were married at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Toronto. From there, they moved to Halifax, and then to Calgary in 1968, where they built a life together with their three children and a vast community of friends. 

In addition to raising a family and running Marek’s private medical practice, Sharron had numerous interests and passions, including French culture, literature, and the fine arts. Her belief in the virtues of bilingualism inspired her involvement in the establishment of the Calgary Chapter of Canadian Parents for French, and the ultimate adoption of the bilingual education system in Alberta. As Sharron’s love of France deepened, she cultivated far reaching friendships with the French community. These bonds led to life changing cultural opportunities and cultural exchange experiences for her family. 

Sharron also built connection through her passion for reading and literature. Her love of reading was shared over five decades of fellowship in the Assiniboine Book Club of Calgary. The club continues to be a wellspring of intellectual exploration, community, and friendship for long-time and new members alike. 

Sharron’s interest and support of fine arts was perhaps most noted in her love of music. She opened her family’s home to host international competitors participating in the Esther Honens Piano Competition and inspired other families to do the same. In addition, Sharron championed the idea of home concerts to support these pianists during the early years of the esteemed competition. 

In keeping with Sharron’s welcoming nature, her home and table were always open, with room made for anyone who happened to drop by. Her cuisine was as exquisite as her seemingly effortless hospitality, elegance, and grace. She was quick to offer a kind word, always taking things in stride with optimism and good humour. She had a gift of making the ordinary extraordinary. She was a source of love, strength, and motivation for so many. She will be deeply and forever missed by all who knew and loved her.

The Jung family will be holding a private service to remember and celebrate Sharron’s life. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

Expressed condolences by way of gifts may be made in her name through donations to the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO), 205 8 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0K9, 403.508.7675, info@calgaryphil.com, https://calgaryphil.com/support/make-a-donation/, an organization dear to Sharron, that contributes to the enrichment of the city of Calgary and to the cultural essence of the community.

In living memory of Sharron Jung, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.