Sharon Louise Braithwaite

SHARON LOUISE BRAITHWAITE September 1943 - April 2018 On Thursday, April 26th, 2018 Sharon Louise Braithwaite of White Rock, British Columbia, formerly of Baptiste Lake, Edmonton and Dewberry, Alberta, passed away peacefully at the age of 74. Sharon was very proud to be a Braithwaite. Her love and dedication to family was limitless. She is survived by her beautiful daughter Deirdre and her husband Russ, her brother Lorne and his wife Josie and their children: Todd (Lorna) and their children Hannah, Liam, and Abram; Jodi (Brian) and their children Regan, Linea and Michaela; Troy (Byjonka) children Alec and Camille; Travis (Lorraine) and their children Jaylene, Janessa and Dylan. Sadly in 2016 Sharon's nephew Troy passed away suddenly. In March 2018 Ernie, Sharon's brother, mentor and dear friend passed away - he is survived by his wife Marlene and their sons Murray (Tracey) and their children Allison and Emerson; Gary (Silvia) and their children Cesar, Ros and Martin; and Neil (Michele). Sharon loved growing up in Dewberry, Alberta with her two older brothers Ernie and Lorne and her mom (Olga) and dad (Joe). Sharon was a the princess in their eyes. Sharon like her mother (Olga) excelled in piano and her various hobbies, including twirling a baton in the band and building many good friendships. After high school Sharon graduated from hair dressing school in Edmonton. She loved helping people feel good about the way the looked and enjoyed connecting with her clients. Sharon married Jim in 1963 and in 1967 adopted a precious little girl and named her Deirdre Marlene - the love of her life. To mark Deirdre’s first birthday Sharon and Jim bought a cabin at Baptiste Lake. The lake was a gathering place for family and friends. Sharon loved being behind the wheel of the boat pulling water skiers and tubers, and yes, she loved water skiing too and Gary loved trying to dump her while she was tubing. Ukulele sing songs around the campfire and lively card games at the kitchen table were among her favourite moments. During the 1990s Sharon and her second husband Dave tore down the old cabin and built a new cabin from a design out of Popular Science Magazine - yes it was unique and a lot of hard work. Sharon was the site “foreman” and each day it was work until 2:00PM and then time to play. Finally her sanctuary was built, a great place to escape to after the craziness of every day life. Sharon was a single mother for a period of time and she faced it with courage - holding down a full-time job, going to night school and raising Deirdre. She was deeply grateful for the support from her mom and dad and Ernie and Lorne during this time. Sharon graduated from business college in Edmonton and began a new career in payroll administration. Sharon always had drive and determination and worked very hard at all her endeavours especially in her positions with Glenrose Hospital, the Alberta Liquor Control Board and then consulting throughout North America. Eventually Sharon moved to the cabin full-time and began working at Athabasca University where she inspired a new generation of payroll professionals. In 2010 Sharon retired to the warmer weather of White Rock British Columbia. She loved being closer to family and friends; Ernie and Marlene, Fred and Elsie, Milton, Gerald, Ralph and Stan and Gladys Porter. Sharon thrived here and lived life to the fullest - enjoying the outdoors etc. She golfed three times a week and loved driving the Coquihalla to go skiing three times a year with the BC and Alberta ski clubs. Sharon also had a very creative side. She loved shimmying her coin belt while belly dancing and loved painting in acrylics. Her attention to the details was amazing and her annual Christmas cards and flowers were her favourite to paint. When she put her brushes down she enjoyed good times with friends - whether gathering after a round of golf, hanging out at Hemmingways at west beach, going to a movie or a play or going for coffee she just loved connecting with friends. Just days ago Sharon was saying how full her life was. Her vim and vigour and her warm spirit will be missed by all those she touched. Family and friends will be celebrating the lives of Sharon and her brother Ernie on Saturday, May 26th, 1:00PM at Dewberry Hall in Dewberry, Alberta. She always said "I PAINT FLOWERS SO THEY WILL LIVE FOREVER"