Obituary of Sharon Ardus Mona WAKELAM

August 18, 1928 – Saskatoon, SK January 17, 2014 – Calgary, AB Loving wife, amazing mom and grandma, respected colleague, and trusted friend, Sharon Wakelam peacefully left us at the Beverly Care Centre Glenmore in Calgary, Alberta, Friday January 17th, at the age of 85. Daughter of Christian and Mona Smith, Sharon began her journey in Saskatoon 18 August 1928, and attended Regina Central Collegiate and the Regina Grey Nuns’ Hospital School of Nursing. She cared for her charges at the Regina Grey Nuns’ Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital Vancouver, the Arlington County Hospital in Arlington VA, and the National Defence Medical Centre in Ottawa. Eventually, she swapped the “lamp” of nursing for the lamp of learning, and attended Ottawa Teachers’ College and the University of Calgary (B.Ed with distinction), channeling her care to the education of hundreds of children at Pinecrest Public School in Ottawa, and Patrick Airlie and Sam Livingston Elementary Schools in Calgary. Always leading the charge, she served as a Lieutenant Nursing Sister in the Canadian Army Reserve and established her heritage in both the United Empire Loyalists and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Besides being an insatiable reader, she loved quilting and dollhouse miniatures, leaving a legacy of both to her children and grand children, and was a stalwart volunteer for many years at the Spruce Meadows equestrian facility. Sharon is survived by her husband of 62 years Don, brothers Julian (Yolande) and Derek (Susan), brother-in-law Ron Reavley, son Randy (Norma), daughters Dawn (Keith) Hunt and Janice (Kerry) Horlock, and grandchildren Christian, Karen (CJ), Kevin (Meagan), Stephanie, Katie, and Riley, great-grandson Keegan, and many nieces and nephews. Sharon was predeceased by her sister Janice Reavley. A memorial service will be held in the spring. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: 1 (866) 412-4222. www.albertacancer.ca/memorial. In living memory of Sharon Wakelam, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park. Sharon’s family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff, volunteers and residents of the Beverly who showed such caring and compassion during her stay. God bless you.