SHARON LEE-ANN DAINARD

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SHARON LEE-ANN DAINARD
1976 - 2021

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Sharon Lee-Ann Dainard on October 20, 2021, loving wife, mother, sister, auntie, friend, and colleague. After the untimely death of her beloved husband and partner of 22 years, she was heartbroken, her health declined, and she died a month later at just 45.
As well as her husband, Darcy Spence, she was predeceased by her mother Patti and her birth mother Liz. She leaves to mourn her three children, Tyler Robinson and partner Amanda; Tyson Spence and partner Sofia; and Alexander Spence and partner Tiara.
Her loss is also shared by her father Glen Dainard and wife Heather; brother Chris Dainard, wife Monika and sons, Jakob, Dominik, Maksim, and Erik; brother Stacy Dainard, wife Jennifer and son Tristan; sisters-in-law, Kathleen Spence and daughter Latasha; Delacy Spence-Termath, husband Aaron and children, Brandon and Ashley; Natasha Spence, partner Mike and son Mason; 'brother'-in-law Mickey Kematch, wife Crystal and children, Chevas, Brian, Shaylyn and Nicky; aunt Frances Davis and family; uncle Duane Edgar, wife Wendy and family; her birth family; lifelong friend Tara Palka and family; and her beloved dogs, the late Phoenix, as well as Ralphie and Gucci.
Sharon graduated from St. Mary's Academy in 1994 and had so many gifts she could have been anything. She was intelligent, beautiful, kind, and laughed easily. She was always positive despite her health challenges. She was fiercely proud of her sons and her favourite moments were spent with Darcy, watching their boys grow up, play sports, and ski and snowboard on one of their many road trips to the mountains.
Sharon was a citizen of Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation but as a child of the Sixties Scoop, she lost her birth family, her language, and her culture. With her loving adopted family at her side, she spent a lifetime trying to find her way home to her Anishinabe culture. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree (Advanced) from the University of Manitoba where she met her Native Studies family. She was proud to be a research and teaching assistant with Dr. Niigaan Sinclair, received a Manitoba Museum Indigenous Scholar in Residence award, and at the time of her passing was completing a master's degree focused on the Sixties Scoop. She was also an advocate for its Survivors, sitting on the board of the Manitoba Indigenous Adoptees Coalition and co-writing the Canadian Encyclopedia article on the devastating colonial policy.
We mourn her loss and pray she is at peace, with her husband, adopted mother and birth mother, who all loved her so very much.
Honorary Pallbearers are Tyler Robinson, Tyson Spence, Alexander Spence, Tristan Dainard, Jakob Dainard, Dominik Dainard, Maksim Dainard, Erik Dainard, Latasha Spence, Brandon Spence-Termath, Ashley Spence-Termath, Mason Spence, and Tara Palka.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sharon's memory may be made to the Donor Relations Office at the University of Manitoba for the creation of an endowed scholarship in her name: 204.474.9195, 1.800.330.8066 or donor.relations@umanitoba.ca
Visitation will be held at Coutu Funeral Chapel, 680 Archibald Street, on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, and Wednesday, October 27, 2021, between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Due to current public health regulations, proof of vaccination and ID are required, and masks are mandatory.
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at Niizhoziibean (South Point) at Nestowaya (The Forks) on Friday, October 29, 2021, at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow. All are welcome as the event will be held outdoors; for your comfort, please bring a chair.

E.J. Coutu & Co. Funeral Directors
ejcoutu.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 26, 2021