Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Ontario for funeral details
With sadness, the friends and family of Sharron Ann Margaret Gallinger Lahaye announce her passing at age 79 on Saturday, February 8 at Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie. A proud educator and one-time business owner, Sharron touched many lives through her varied careers.
Sharron is predeceased by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.S. Gallinger, her beloved aunt, Margaret Stonefield, and her cherished husband, Joseph Lahaye, whom she wed in 1974.
Sharron was born in Montreal and first had a meteoric career with the Simpsons department store chain. She started in the cosmetics department of the Montreal location – where, incidentally, she met the dashing Joe, with his irresistible Dutch accent – eventually rising to head buyer for the entire chain. When Simpsons merged with The Bay, Sharron pivoted and she and Joe started a luxury perfume importing business, Beaux Images International. By this time, they had pulled up stakes in Montreal and had settled in King City, north of Toronto. Their home in Carrying Place Estates was the scene of many happy times together with friends and family, with Sharron cooking enormous, multi-course meals that would go on for hours.
Sharron was a life-long learner and with a down-turn in the economy, specifically in the luxury-fragrance market, Sharron decided the time was ripe for her to chase her dream of becoming an educator. She studied at night and obtained her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree, followed by Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education, studying at both York and Brock Universities. More recently, Sharron had been pursuing Doctoral studies in Philosophy until challenging health issues asserted themselves.
As an educator, Sharron was passionate about bringing language to life in any situation, with the goal of providing high-quality and fun learning experiences. Her focus was English and English-Second-Language studies at the secondary and post-secondary levels. Her many students at Mentor College in Mississauga, at Seneca Polytechnic in Toronto, as well as those she tutored, will remember her lively, animated approach to language learning.
Sharron’s final years were spent in Alliston, where she busied herself with church and Red Hat Society goings-on, as well as sociable time with a small circle of friends.
Her final year was spent at Waterford Retirement Living in Barrie. Her family is grateful for the care she received during her stay. The family is also grateful for the end-of-life care she received while a patient at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie.
A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, April 30 at St. Andrew Anglican Church in Alliston. The service will be at 11 a.m. and there is no visitation. Interment to follow at Kettleby Cemetery.
Sharron deeply loved her many pets so, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society would be greatly appreciated.
January 24 1946
February 8 2025
Death notice for the town of: Alliston, Province: Ontario
death notice Sharon Ann Margaret Gallinger Lahaye January 24 1946
February 8 2025
obituaries notice Sharon Ann Margaret Gallinger Lahaye January 24 1946
February 8 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Sharon Ann Margaret Gallinger Lahaye January 24 1946
February 8 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
