SHAREN ANN MARIE (SAM) SOCHOLOTUK

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SHAREN ANN MARIE (SAM) SOCHOLOTUK It is with great sadness that the family of Sharen Ann Marie Socholotuk (Sam), 54, announces her passing on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, after a long battle with cancer. Sharen was born in Fort Frances, ON on Thursday, July 26, 1956 to Alex and Mary Socholotuk. Sharen finished her high school years in Fort Frances, then went on to further her studies at the University of Manitoba. Once graduated she applied for a position with the Customs and Excise Department within the federal government in 1980. Once she accepted a position with the customs full-time, she then began to move up in the ranks through the years with positions in Emerson, Boissevain, Winnipeg and Ottawa. Her last posting was in Winnipeg, Manitoba where she worked until she retired. Her resume was as accomplished and exemplary as it could get. As a child, Sharen's life-long dream was to work at the United Nations in New York City and live in Manhattan. Her mother once told her that if you excelled in other languages you can too, work at the United Nations. In 2001 Sharen applied and was accepted to work for the UN for a two and a half year stint. Sharen loved New York and gained a myriad of friends, not only at the UN, but throughout her career with Canada Customs. Sharen lived her dream to the fullest. Sharen was an intelligent, witty, gregarious, affable and spiritual person. She was somewhat adventurous and travelled to Europe, Hawaii and the Ukraine. But her short excursions included trips to Atlantic City, Las Vegas and Florida, whether it be to shop, or visit her favourite casinos. She lived life on her terms. Cherished memories will always be with the family, especially her cousin and good friends, Thomas, Pat, Rhonda, the two Debbies, and Maggie who conducted the dedicated nightly vigils in her last days. Sharen will lovingly be remembered and deeply missed by: her father Alex; brothers, Richard (Tracy) and Allen (Josee); and all the cousins, aunts and uncles; nephews, Chris and Mike, but especially by all her close friends and customs family . Sharen also met many friends through St. Andrews College Hockey Team where she attended to study Ukrainian languages and culture. She graduated from University of Manitoba with a science degree in chemistry and zoology. She took her teaching certificate in 1978 at the University of Manitoba. Sharen was predeceased by her grandparents and mother Mary, as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins. Sharen's longtime friend Cheryl, best summed up Sharen by saying She was very spiritual and always marveled about the world. She was the best friend that many of us ever had and we will miss her the rest of our lives. She was a friend of my heart and the sister of my soul. Sharen once wrote to her brother Richard, I have lived two of my life-long dreams and wonder now about the dreams of an adult. S.A.M. Visitation will be held at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, 2011 with prayers being held at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 11, 2011 at St. George's Ukrainian Orthodox Church on Mackenzie Avenue in Fort Frances with Father Gene Maximiuk and Father Oleg Krawchenko officiating. Interment will take place in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances, Ontario at a later date. The active pallbearers will be Dennis, Terry and Ralph Soderholm, Lyle Smith, Chuck Armit and Stan Sockolotuk Jr. The honourary pallbearers will encompass her many friends and acquaintances. If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to Riverside Foundation for Health Care in care of Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ontario P9A 3M8 On-line condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 09, 2011