SHARON MARGARET KOSHUL

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SHARON MARGARET KOSHUL March 24, 1940 - January 17, 2018 It is so difficult to say goodbye to our beloved mother and grandmother, a dynamic and caring woman who seemed to just be entering her prime. Her sudden passing is made doubly hard, as she had many plans and so much to look forward to. Sharon was born in Halifax and spent her last years in Squamish and North Vancouver, with stops in Hamilton, London (ON), Calgary, Winnipeg, Thompson, and Landmark (MB) in between. Given her natural warmth, she made friends for life, coast to coast. She never sought the spotlight but worked tirelessly to make sure that the achievements of those she cared about were highlighted. Her love was most visible through her actions in the service of others. Sharon was among the least judgmental and most accepting of human beings. She wouldn't just walk a mile in your shoes, she would walk a mile to lend you a hand. In her journal she wrote: "Things that happen to a person shape who they are. If you don't know what has happened to someone, you can't begin to understand why they are the way they are". Her religion was kindness. She didn't have what one might call an 'easy life', but never passed her burdens onto others. Of that, her grandson recently wrote: "This beautiful woman has shown me nothing but unconditional love, kindness and support from the day I was born. She has continued to smile throughout all the twists and turns that life has presented to her, maintaining a warm heart throughout it all." Whether through her work in the library at the Steinbach Regional Secondary School, as a reporter with the Thompson Citizen, or even as Mrs. Claus at Garden City Shopping Centre in Winnipeg, her good heart impacted so many. Few had an interaction with her that didn't leave them feeling better for it. Sharon was an avid conversationalist and had a sense of humour that made spending time with her so much fun. Her favourite memories included attending an Elvis Presley concert, a trip to New York as a teenager with her father, vacations in Cuba with family and friends, numerous stays in Las Vegas, and attending the Kentucky Derby. She was one of the most loyal Winnipeg Jets fans and followed every game. She also loved watching the soap opera The Young and the Restless, playing cards with friends for hours, Bingo games, and hitting the slots at casinos. Few things, however, brought her as much peace as spending time with horses and horseback rides in her younger years. One of the constants in Sharon's life was her enormous love of animals. She would rescue any animal in need that crossed her path. The animal lives she personally cared for, measure in the hundreds. What mattered most to her though, was being a mother and 'Gran'. To be her child meant that you knew that someone was always on your side, no matter what. She deeply loved her grandchildren Sidney, Elly, Milan, Ella and Maja, and her great-grandchildren. Watching them grow and spending time with them meant everything to her, and among her final acts was to buy a storage ottoman which she filled with toys and games for easy access when they came to visit. But now, she is at rest. A celebration of Sharon's life was held at one of her favourite places, Zajak Norgate House in North Vancouver, BC. Her family would like to thank anyone who was ever kind to her. In lieu of flowers, if so inclined, please honour her life with a donation to a no-kill animal shelter or share a smile or hug or laugh with someone who needs it. -30-

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 27, 2018