Obituary of Sharon Wilma Yda Berben

February 17, 1958 – Oakville, Ontario

January 7, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Sharon Berben, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at the age of 65. Despite Sharon’s cancer diagnosis in May 2023, she was so optimistic and faced each day with hope and determination.

Sharon was born in Oakville, ON, and grew up in Etobicoke, ON. She had many wonderful memories of spending time as a young girl and teenager at her parents’ trailer and friends’ cottage in LaFontaine, ON, near Georgian Bay. It was a place to chill out, listen to music, and enjoy the company of friends and family.

At the age of 18, Sharon began her working life as a Passenger Security Guard at Toronto Pearson International Airport, first as a part-time employee, then full-time. She was also employed at Litton Systems in Etobicoke, ON, working with very tiny electronic parts.

In 1981, Sharon headed west and settled in Calgary, AB, where she began what would become a 32-year career with AGT/TELUS. She started out in the 611 Repair Call Centre, then moved to several Repair Shops (Quality Assurance, Payphones), before retiring in 2013 as a Central Office Technician, working in a number of communities in the Calgary area.

Sharon was not a woodworker, yet many years ago, when she took on the task of using a miter saw to cut the oak trim for the basement, she did an exceptional job and received many compliments on her handywork. She was a perfectionist at doing all the edging around the flower beds in the yard. Any project Sharon embarked on turned out like a professional had completed the task. Sharon was a regular “MacGyver”, she was very resourceful and could rig things together to make other things work. She was organized, unpretentious, and inquisitive, looking for the best possible solutions. Sharon always made time for others, and her loyalty to her friends was unwavering.

Although Sharon did not partake in sports, she supported and took delight in watching the Calgary Flames and Stampeders, along with the Toronto Raptors, often yelling at the TV screen at questionable calls or plays. Oh, and she loved her Tim Horton’s coffee (Double, Double), and yes, the occasional Apple Fritter or Boston Cream donut!

For the past five years, Sharon had volunteered with the TELUS Community Ambassadors. Sharon participated in several volunteer opportunities, such as inspecting and packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, shopping as Secret Santa for isolated seniors, writing and delivering Christmas and Valentine’s cards for residents of seniors homes, data entry at the Terry Fox Foundation, putting together hygiene kits for the homeless population, crocheting washcloths for these kits, cutting fabric for baby blankets, shopping for the Veterans Association Food Bank and the Calgary Food Bank, and chauffeuring anyone who needed a ride to their appointments. Sharon regularly attended the TELUS Community Ambassador workshops and was crocheting knitted rectangles together to form blankets that were donated to various organizations.

Sharon was predeceased by her parents, Egbertha (Babs) in May 2000, and Franciscus (Frank) in May 2021, as well as her two brothers, Wayne Plumadore in February 2011, and Ernest (Ernie) Plumadore in November 2014.

Sharon is survived by her brother Robert (Bob) Plumadore of Acton, ON, as well as many Nieces, Nephews, friends, and relatives across the globe.

At Sharon’s request, there will be no Funeral Service or Celebration of Life.

If friends so desire, tributes may be made in Sharon’s memory directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, Email: donorservices@cancer.ab.ca or to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Provincial Office, Sun Life Place, 710, 10123 – 99th Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3H1 Telephone: 1(866) 412-4222, www.albertacancer.ca.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Sharon’s family here.

In living memory of Sharon Berben, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.