Sharon Victoria Walker

Sharon Victoria Walker, 74, of Halifax, died peacefully February 22, 2026, leaving behind a life rich with family, friendship, meaningful work, daily curiosity, and a delight in creativity.

Sharon was born on May 30th, 1951, to William Stephenson and Annie (Nicholson) Stephenson in Halifax, NS. She is survived by her children, Katie (Toronto), Matthew (Sara) (Halifax) and Jessica (Toronto), brother, Richard Stephenson (Halifax), and grand-daughters, Evelynn and Vivian. Sharon was preceded in death by her husband, James (Jim) Walker, both parents, her sister, Heather Garroni (Winnipeg), and her brother, Allen Stephenson (Halifax).

Born and raised in Halifax, Sharon’s early years often included family trips to visit her father’s family home in Big Bras d’Or, Cape Breton. Through her schooling at Bloomfield, Westmount, and Queen Elizabeth High, she formed friendships that would last a lifetime, taking joy in watching one another’s lives unfold over the decades.

A graduate of King’s College with a Bachelor’s Degree in English (1973), she began her career in radio advertising and was soon recognized as an award-winning writer for CJCH (Halifax) and CKEC (New Glasgow). She later combined her love of music and movement as an Elderobics and pre- and post-natal fitness instructor at the YMCA of Halifax Preventative Medicine Centre.

Inspired by her close relationship with her brother, Allen, Sharon became a dedicated advocate for accessibility and inclusion. As an Educational Program Assistant (EPA) at St. Joseph’s/A. McKay, Rockingham School, Fairview Junior High, Inglis Street Elementary, and St. Stephen’s Elementary, she made a lasting impact on the students she worked with and the broader school communities. She helped establish computer rooms in the 1990s, sewed weighted vests for students with sensory sensitivities in the 2000s, and served on committees devoted to improving the educational experience for students and staff alike. She deeply valued collaboration with families and colleagues in support of each child’s growth

Sharon was a passionate lover of the arts. She regularly appreciated local live music, including annual attendance at the Lunenburg Folk Festival and the Halifax Gay Men’s Chorus holiday concert. She also loved visiting galleries and was herself an enthusiastic painter of landscapes. She was known on family drives to pull over and capture vistas that she would later paint. She said she was most inspired by “natural landscapes bathed in dramatic light.” She often spoke of how the start of her love of painting emanated from simply giving herself permission to experiment.

She expressed her creativity in many forms. Her chocolate cake, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (aka. Sharon Walker’s Chocolate Delivery Systems), and homemade rolls were eagerly requested by family and friends. In recent years, sewing and craft projects became treasured collaborations with her granddaughters, Evelynn and Vivian.

Throughout her entire adulthood, physical fitness was very important to Sharon. Her walks through and outside the peninsula were a daily opportunity to catch up on her favourite radio programs and podcasts, while appreciating how Halifax continued to evolve and change. While she was not born a Walker, she certainly lived up to her acquired last name.

Through her later years, Sharon faced a recurring breast cancer diagnosis head on. A diligent and engaged patient, she embraced available programs and supports, like those in the QEII Sunshine Room, while maintaining her daily walks – a routine that sustained both her physical and mental well-being. The love of her family and friends remained a continued source of strength.

Sharon also loved her visits to Toronto to see Katie and Jessica, and to spend quality time with the family of her daughter-in-law, Sara Hosseinian. She often remarked at how lucky she felt to have Sara in her life, and for the families to enjoy each others’ company so much.

With the arrival of her granddaughters, Evelynn (2018) and Vivian (2021), Sharon discovered new purpose for her many skills and talents. She was very invested in the girls’ learning and interests, often attending their soccer or gymnastics activities, and building playdates around a new sewing, art or baking project.

Sharon had a steadfast and sweet and loyal heart that lives on in her children and her grandchildren. Some of her friendships spanned her entire life, evolving and renewing with each chapter. Her vibrancy, curiosity, and kindness remained ever present until her final days, and will define how she will be remembered by all of those who love her.

Sharon’s Celebration of Life will be held Friday, March 20th, 2026 at 2pm at Cruikshank's Funeral Home 2666 Windsor St, Halifax, NS B3K 5C9.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Sunshine Room via the Queen Elizabeth II Foundation (please select Sunshine Room): https://qe2foundation.ca/sunshine-room

Canadian Cancer Society: https://cancer.ca/en/ways-to-give

The Prescott Group: https://prescottgroup.ca/support-us/