Sharon has always been one of my closest friends.

We met in the mid 1970's while working as Medical Lab Technologists at the Holy Cross Hospital in Calgary. We shared a common interest in science and a love for travelling which resulted in me leaving Calgary in 1976 to travel the globe and Sharon leaving Calgary for Australia in late 1976.

By mid 1977 Sharon had settled inn Sydney and begun working at the Sydney Hospital. I arrived in Australia and after travelling from Perth to Sydney stopped by to pay her a visit. A few days later she said to me "One of the lab techs has quit. Why don't you apply for th job. The next day I had a job at the Sydney Hospital and became Sharon's "room-mate", or as they say in Australia "flat-mate".

Our flat in North Sydney was roomy and pleasant becoming a stopping point for our many Canadian friends and family as well as our Aussie friends from points around Australia. At times our flat was like a revolving door. What fun we had showing our guests the sights of Sydney, sampling the many ethnic restaurants. hosting parties and bar-be-ques and hours spent playing games and cards around the dining room table.

Sharon and I met Bob at the Australian-Canadian Club where we attended many functions and parties. Sharon began dating Bob and he soon became a regular at our apartment. Sharon and Bob married in 1980 and I had returned to Canada and married inn 1981. During the next 40 years my husband John and I saw Sharon and Bob each time they pasted thru Vancouver to points in Canada and the U.S. We always got together for a visit and a meal with Sharon sometimes bringing souvenirs from Australia. We also stayed inn touch thru letters, cards and e-mails as well as our annual birthday phone call.

Sharon was always interested in our news as a family especially asking about our two children. Over the years she would suggest we come "down-under" for a visit and finally in Feb 2019 we made the big trip. She organized a wonderful lunch for former co-workers from the Sydney Hospital whom I had not seen in 40 years. Finally she and Bob drove us around North Sydney showing us the sights just as they had done many years before.

Always caring and thoughtful, Sharon was a true inspiration to me. A wonderful friend, she will always be in my heart and mind.

I met Sharon and Bob and family in 1988. They took me under their wings as a young Canadian traveler heading down under to play and coach hockey. They became mentors, supporters and a second family to me. I was excited to take my family back to meet them in 2017 and show off my friends Sharon, Bob and family. The Ramsays did not disappoint and predictable opened up their homes and hospitality to us and made a great impact on my kids. I was very sorry to hear of Bob's passing and now to hear Sharon has passed away is deeply saddening to us all. Sharon was such an anchor for me as a young kid in Australia and she was a person I always knew would be there whenever I needed her. She will forever have a special place in not only my heart but in the memories of my entire family as well as many of the Canadians and hockey players that she hosted and made feel welcome.

Our deepest sympathies to the Families of Sharon.

My name is Ethne and I have worked for the Ramsays at Jolly Jumper NZ for 16 years. Bob and Sharon took me under their wing and trusted me with the job of running the NZ branch 2weeks after I was hired. I have learned so much working here. My biggest learning curve was adjusting to the fact that this was a family, not only a business. Over the years, I spoke to Sharon every day and I think I can safely say I spoke to her more than I do to my mum. We didn't talk about work by the end of our conversations, it was all about the family or the tragedies or joys of the world, and Sharon would end each conversation with a " well we solved most of the worlds problems today Ethne" ... I sorely miss that. I loved & respected Sharon and she will never be forgotten.

The brief history of Sharon’s years in Australia

Sharon returned to Australia in the 1970s to begin a new life far from her Saskatchewan hometown in Canwood. She settled on Sydney where she got a job at Sydney Hospital to work as a Blood Technician. She leased a large sun-filled apartment in the leafy suburb of Cammeray. The place was big enough to accommodate friends and family who ventured out from Canada to visit with her, providing them a chance to explore this foreign land.

One evening, Sharon was out with her Canadian friends at the posh Tattersalls Club, Bob Ramsay, was expected to join them, but was denied entry for not adhering to the Club’s dress code. Not willing to let this stop him, he walked back to his kombi van to think of a plan, he found a sports sock in the van and fashioned it in to a tie! He confidently strutted back to the Club wearing the makeshift tie, and in he went to tell the story for some laughs. Bob’s larger than life personality made a big impression on Sharon, we think it was that night that she realised she had met the love of her life.

From then on they were an item, Bob who was always full of ideas and a sense of adventure offered to take Sharon and her friends on sight seeing tours often. They would visit all the iconic and historic sights around Sydney from his 1960s kombi van. These tours were a highlight for Sharon fueling her love of adventure and travel.

When Sharon and Bob tied the knot, Sharon embraced motherhood and family life by becoming step-mum to three teenagers. She settled into the family home and continued to work at the Hospital. After a time she took up Bob’s offer to join him in expanding the business he began in the early 70s. From that time onwards they traveled to many parts of the world, for business, leisure and to stay connected to friends and family in Canada. Over the 40 years of married life, they forged partnerships and friendships including with the Australian Ice Hockey Federation. It was a time of expansion not just of the business but also their circle of friends and colleagues living around the world. Over the years of their life together, Bob and Sharon delighted many people taking them on fun filled outings for entertainment, recreation, dinner, so they could see and explore the beautiful city of Sydney as well in many other parts of the globe.

Both Sharon and Bob were present to welcome into the world each one of their four grandchildren with a celebratory toast of Champagne. Sharon absolutely and completely embraced being a grandma. When they grew old enough she gave them lots of attention by playing all kinds of games, watching them play sports, supervising Christmas baking and looking after them on sleepover nights. She doted on them at every opportunity she had, lavishing them with celebration treats and gifts, but most of all giving them her undivided loving attention when they were with her.

Dearest Sharon, ever-giving, generous friend of all, may God continue to guide your liberated vibrant soul on the next selfless loving quest.

Rest In Peace, Love,

Karen

Thankyou for the many many years of friendship Sharon . You were a Beautiful caring soul all that time going through your treatment and you were always more worried about other people first , putting them before yourself. I am so pleased you were able to make it home it Canada for your final journey and be surrounded by your family and friends which I know were so important to you. I Certainly feel blessed that I was able to speak to you on the phone in your final days. My heart goes out to your family here in Australia May you find peace knowing Sharon is with Bob dancing together.

Thankyou lovely lady you will be missed always and I will certainly miss our weekly chat .

Love Kim and Jim Simpson [(Sydney Australia )

Sending love and light

Sharon, you have been a beautiful, helpful, cheering presence in my life for so long that it is hard to believe you are gone. My earliest memories are of your wedding day. Of course I wasn’t there, but the photos with you and Bob looking so radiant in some lovely Australian garden setting were well flipped through.

Then my family (Dad is Bob’s brother) went to Australia when I was about 14 and we got to meet. I have to admit, I remember more about koalas, banana plantations, driving in a combi van and staying in caravan parks, than specific family moments. But our collective terry towel short shorts and tank tops are all immortalized in the family album!

When I was in my 20s I went again to Australia for a working holiday. I worked at FitnessWise for a time and saw you and Bob in action at your successful family business. You helped me navigate phone calls with faraway department stores in the back of beyond and made sure I got to load springs into Jolly Jumper boxes too. Then I headed off around the continent and checked in, chatting to you after Bob’s advice that I was moving too slowly and I’d never see all of Australia at that rate. (He was right!)

When you came to Canada a few years ago, we met you with Cousin Greg and Deirdre and family at the River Rock and you and Bob shouted our buffet dinner. It was funny to realize how much time had passed when the lady called out: are there any more seniors in the line? Age 55? And my partner Tom had to put up his hand!

Tom and I got to go to Australia again in 2019 and we have precious family memories of the Easter Egg hunt with Bronte and Grayson and indulgent Grandma and Grandpa looking on. Once more you helped navigate us through Bob’s travel advice and he was right again! We flew to Coolangatta instead of driving so we could have more family time. You took us to to the Digger’s fancy new digs and snuck us each a bit of cash so we could try our luck at the pokies too. When we almost ran the funds out, we cashed in and handed our tickets back and you passed them on to Bob who proceeded to triple the pay out.

You and Bob were lucky ones in the Lucky Country. You both offered so much to our family. It was an honour to be with you and Scott and Nicole and the kids, as well as Sue, my mom and dad and Joanne to bring Bob’s ashes to Wainwright. I remember you said that relationships mean taking the good with the bad. You were unwell, but you were on a mission, and it offered another family time that we won’t forget. Our love is always with you.

Heather Ramsay and Tom Johnson

I met her briefly but her joy and happiness that day really stayed with me. My Dad enjoyed the day this picture was taken. I am glad we had the opportunity to meet. Our condolences to the family.