Obituary of Sharon Parker

PARKER: Sharon (68) of Brandon, beloved wife of David, passed peacefully on September 3, 2017. Born in Regina, Sharon (Welch) was raised and schooled a Brandon East-ender. Sharon could tell you who she sat next to, in front of or behind in every class and any year. Sharon married out of high school and with Richard Bull had a daughter Susan and a son Jason. Sharon attended Brandon University and received a degree while raising a young family. After graduating she travelled to most of the northern First Nation communities, evaluating for enrollment in the BUNTEP program. As a contract worker for ACC, Sharon facilitated at the Brandon Correctional Centre. She often laughed that "she met her "last" husband, David, in prison". Sharon continued to work at ACC teaching psychology to nurses as well as communications to trades. Another of Sharon's quotes was that "good communication is the difference between getting by and getting ahead". Sharon retired from ACC in 2006 but never from teaching, guiding and mentoring those around her. Whether in her awe-inspiring yard, cultivating another home reno for Dave, or scouting for obscure knickknacks or just the right card for an occasion, Sharon was always active; always creating, always thinking. It was nothing for Sharon to end her day with nearly 20K steps on her pedometer. Many of those steps involved her fur person, Foo Man Chu. Sharon walked Foo Man at least twice every day, rain or shine, and sometimes in -40. Sharon knew every family dog in a 10-block radius by name and raised money for those in shelter. Sharon travelled to Hawaii, England and the Caribbean, had winter holidays to Cuba and Mexico, but most loved spending time with her daughter Sue, son-in-law Scott and her favourites, grandchildren Cameron and Rylee, in Arizona. Proud is not a strong enough adjective to describe how she felt about the quality of her grandchildren's character. Sharon had strong convictions and stronger opinions; she loved educated banter. Sharon was graceful in Tai Chi; well read in literature; up on world history and politics; astute at finance and as loving as the day is long. Sharon was generous with her time, canvassing for the Cancer Society for 25 years. Sharon will never be gone to the people that knew her. Sharon was predeceased by her parents Bertrand and Reta Welch and is survived by her adoring husband David, brother Brian (Sheila) Welch, loving children Susan (Scott) Anderson and Jason (Gina) Bull and wonderful grandchildren Cameron and Rylee Anderson. A Memorial Service will be held at Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332-8th Street, on Friday, September 15, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Flowers are gratefully declined and in keeping with her love of animals, donations in memory of Sharon may be made to the Brandon Humane Society, 2200-17th Street East, Brandon, MB, R7A 7M6.