BELL, Sharon Elaine (nee Downer)

May 11, 1947 to December 11, 2024

Passed away at Georgian Bay General Hospital after a lengthy illness in her 78th year. She met the illness with tremendous strength, courage, and an unrelenting willpower to see things through. Sharon was predeceased by her husband Ron Bell, and predeceased by her sister Marg Green, and leaves her son Brad and wife Anja, brother Lyn and wife Nancy Downer and a whole host of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Sharon was the loved middle child of Marg and Wilf Downer, born at Wasaga Beach, attended Byng School in Stayner and then Stayner Collegiate Institute and on to Nursing School to become a Registered Nursing Assistant. After a number of years in the medical field Sharon turned her sights on becoming a legal secretary and after a successful career branches out to be part owner of Home Hardware in Elmvale with her husband Ron and son Brad. She continued to work after retirement doing accounting for Norman’s Garden Gallery.

Sharon and Ron also had a penchant for building homes, one after another until they finally retired fully and spent their remaining years overlooking the Penetanguishene Harbour; a busy and active view outside their front window that both loved to watch evolve.

They greatly enjoyed travel in their retirement years, particularly as Winter Texans and many trips to Mackinac Island to enjoy the experienced of horse drawn vehicles only – a relaxing throwback to a quieter time.

Sharon and Ron had a wonderful marriage of 54 years and were an item early on as noted in a comment in Sharon’s high school yearbook, “Special interest, Ron”.

Sharon had an ability and desire for organizing family get togethers – always planning ahead to make the visits memorable and fun.

She was generous to a fault – always helping out and making donations on a daily basis. So committed to helping that she kept a jar of toonies present at all times. She often said she just couldn’t bear to walk past a Salvation Army Kettle or a Poppy Box Fund without donating. Sometimes many times a day depending on how many she passed in her travels that day.

Sharon also held opinions on most subjects and was always willing to share them. You didn’t have to ask what she was thinking – she would tell you. Some people may call it blunt – but family members who share the same trait like to refer to it as “being refreshingly candid”.

Sharon was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, sister, and valued friend to people of all walks of life. A good friend is typically someone whom you enjoy spending time with, and they may also increase your self-esteem when you’re around them. With a good friend you may laugh, have fun, feel connected, and generally enjoy each other’s company. The Downer family is of Irish descent and the family crest is “winged hands of friendship”. So the final works go to the Irish saying: “Friendship is a golden chain, the links are friends so dear. And like a rare and precious jewel, it’s treasured more each year.”

The family offers heartfelt thanks to the medical staff at Georgian Bay General Hospital and Bayshore Health for their care – providing a great comfort to Sharon. Those seeking a way to remember Sharon are asked to consider a donation to the Georgian Bay General Hospital in Midland.

Memorial condolences may be made to www.leclaircremationcentre.com