Sharon McLean

Born in Sydney and spending her early childhood in Grand River, Richmond County, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Neil James McLean and the late Ruth Cathcart. Sharon was lovingly raised by her parents Neil and Dolena McLean in Sydney Mines. She grew up with her siblings Rachel and Daniel.

Sharon pursued her faith through music, receiving a Bachelor of Music in Organ and Voice at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She played organ at service regularly for churches in Sydney Mines, Sydney, and throughout Cape Breton. Later, Sharon followed in her academic progress with a Bachelor of Music Education at Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, and then a Masters of Education in Resource at St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia. She taught in elementary and middle schools across Industrial Cape Breton.

All corners of Cape Breton were lit up by Sharon's joy and her music. She, leading her family and friends, would perform hymns by instrument and by voice from North of the Highlands, to Baddeck and to Glace Bay, and South to Louisbourg. In all places her travels led her, God's love was expressed through her song.

Sharon is survived by her son, Timothy McLean Schmidt, B.C.; husband, Gilbert Edwin Schmidt, Sydney; sister, Rachel McLean (Rev. J. Gillis) Smith, N.B.; nephews, Daniel Alexander, McLean, A.B., and Kendall James McLean, Lower Sackville.

Sharon was predeceased by her brothers, David Neil McLean and James Alexander McLean, in infancy, and brother, Neil Daniel McLean, Sydney.

Visitation will take place in Bethel Presbyterian Church, Sydney, on Saturday, May 9th, following a memorial service at 1 p.m. with Rev. David Coull officiating.