Sharon Barr

In the early morning hours of May 19, 2026, during a gentle rain, Sharon Barr (Lange), 80, passed away peacefully at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital, surrounded with love by her husband and two children.

Sharon was born on June 18, 1945, in Vita, Manitoba. She was raised on the family farm near Friedensthal, east of Emerson. Sharon was brilliant and graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She immediately found employment with the Federal Department of National Health and Welfare in Kingston, Ontario. She was a water quality scientist analyzing metal levels in the Bay of Quinte and the St. Lawrence River between Trenton and Cornwall with a specialty in atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Sharon met her future husband, John, in the chemistry lab at work, and after a 5-year courtship between postings in Ottawa and Kingston, they married on a sunny, summer day in August, 1971. They immediately relocated to Kenora, where Sharon worked at Ontario Hydro before retiring in 2000. They found their home on Rabbit Lake in 1974, where, over the next 52 years, they raised their family. Summer days were spent at the beach on Rabbit Lake with neighbours who became family and with whom holidays, weddings and birthdays were celebrated over the years. Sharon, John, and their children enjoyed many adventures, including memorable road trips where the family would travel across the country, spending time together and seeking out roadside attractions. She was very proud of her daughter and son and supported them every step of the way as they eventually grew up and built families of their own.

Sharon was a quiet, devout lady who loved her family, her church, and her friends. She found fellowship at the Bethesda Lutheran Church and later, at St. Alban’s Cathedral. Sharon volunteered at many church activities and formed strong friendships, grounded by her faith. The Christmas Eve candlelight service at Bethesda was an important family tradition and was attended every year, followed by an annual viewing of the Festival of Lights. Sharon enjoyed her weekly Saturday Morning Coffee Club and the friendships she found with the ladies in her fitness class.

Sharon and John were delighted to welcome their granddaughter, Ella Florence, and later, their grandson, Jack Louis. They immersed themselves in the joy of becoming grandparents. Sharon was a true ‘Storybook Grandma’ and enjoyed listening to stories of Ella and Jack’s daily life. She kept a journal where she would note particular highlights of each day, whether it was a cute comment from Ella or a fun activity Jack participated in at daycare. It was always special when Ella and Jack would come to Kenora to visit and play at the same neighbourhood beach where her own children had grown up, walk to Rabbit Lake Store with Grandpa, or run around in the yard.

Sharon was predeceased by her parents, William and Ella Lange; father and mother-in-law, Reginald and Helen Barr; sister-in-law, Helen Lange; and brother-in-law, Tony Barr. She is survived by her husband of 55 years and partner of 60 years, John; daughter Megan (Rob) Dokuchie; son Scott (Lisa); beloved grandchildren Ella and Jack, and her ‘grand dogs’ Wendy and Greg Dokuchie and Marble Barr. She is also survived by her brothers Clarence and Glenn (Brenda) Lange, sister JoAnn (Walter) Trafton, as well as her in-laws Shirley (Gary) Bonsteel, Kris Barr, Jane Barr, and Helen Calder, and numerous nieces and nephews.

For those of you who knew Sharon well, you will not be surprised that Sharon left this life in the same manner that she lived it - with grace, love, dignity, kindness, and compassion.

A Celebration of Life, church service, and inurnment ceremony to be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Sharon’s memory to St. Alban’s Cathedral in Kenora or to the St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation (Toronto), in support of the Centre for Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy.

To everything

There is a season

And a time to every purpose

Under heaven.