SHARRON BERTCHILDE

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SHARRON BERTCHILDE (née MAKI) March 4, 1944 - December 6, 2015 I left this wondrous, beautiful, challenging earth on December 6, 2015, at home and surrounded by family, with gratitude for the miracle of having lived. What a fortunate, fun, fulfilling life. Thanks to those who I loved, and who loved me, nurtured me, taught me, laughed with me, cried with me, played with me, sang with me, danced with me, travelled with me, worked with me, demanded more of me when I gave in to my many human frailties, and still forgave and encouraged me. I am filled with gratitude for the blessing of a good family: my beloved husband Harvey, my cherished daughters Heather (Dean) and Allyson (Manuel) and my adored grandchildren Samuel and Johanna, with whom I shared the richest experiences of living. My dear siblings Arlene (Henry), Arnold (Wilhelmina) and Pam (Ken) were loving family and friends, and produced wonderful nieces (Giselle, Janine, Joanne, Danielle, Chantal) and nephews (Dan, Anthony, Phil), grandnieces (Sonam, Kaelyn) and grandnephews (Owen, Emryst, Lucas, Ryder, Tobias, Alex). Aunties, uncles and cousins from Ontario added much joy to the mix, as was getting to know so many in Harv's extensive family. I was predeceased by parents Roberta and Eino, and infant grandson Evan. I was blessed with good friends, old and new, who enriched my life beyond measure. Over the span of many years, in Manitoba and BC, we shared laughter, tears, rants, raves, wine, food, song, acting on both stage and film, writing, protests, travel, tennis, dragon boats, kayaks, philosophies and fantasies. Thank you all so much. I was the third born, after Arlene and Arnold, in Kenora, ON, March 4, 1944, to Roberta and Eino Maki. Pam arrived seven years later. Our father, a CN station agent, was a railroad rover, and we moved frequently during our childhood from small towns in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. I married Eric Kilbrai in 1962, with whom I had my two beloved daughters. In 1973, I set off on my own and in 1975, the stars blessed me with my love, Harvey. At my daughter Heather's urging, we married in 1993. Together, Harvey and I have shared the past four decades, always learning and always loving. My life was immeasurably enhanced by having this wonderful man in it. My work life was centred in education. I began my career in the public schools in Winnipeg, then moved into postsecondary in Manitoba and Nanaimo, BC, where I retired. Following retirement, this "ancient ingénue" pursued a lifelong passion as an actor and writer that had remained dormant through my work life. What fun I had! I intended to travel more, but was set on a different path with the colon cancer diagnosis in September 2011. The travel I did do was wonderful. Europe, especially to visit family in France; Spain to walk the Camino; Switzerland for the Easy Writers tour; Nepal for Child Haven, and also India, Mexico, Cuba, Hawaii, England, Portugal, Germany and more. I would be remiss not to say a thank you to the doctors, nurses and all the care providers at N.R.G.H. in Nanaimo, Winnipeg's St. Boniface Hospital and the Health Sciences Centre, plus CancerCare Manitoba, and the WRHA Palliative Care team who all cared so compassionately and competently for me. I am grateful, too, for the gift of animals throughout my life; the horses, dogs, cats and other critters that enriched me. I have declined a ceremony to mark my passing. My cremation will mark the end of my passage on this earth. If you wish, take a moment when you are enjoying any of those things we shared in life and think of me. Should you choose, please make a donation to a charity of your choice. And finally, for all those who have shared my story, I leave these words by the irrepressible Maude, from one of my favourite movies, Harold and Maude..."Oh, go and love some more!". THOMSON "IN THE PARK" 204-925-1120 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 12, 2015