Obituary of Sharon Fullerton

Sharon Elizabeth Fullerton died peacefully at Kensington Hospice in Toronto. She was surrounded and supported through her 9 day stay at the hospice by an adoring group of family and close friends. Sharon is survived by her husband, Peter, daughter, Kathryn (Cory) Lamothe; son, James Fullerton (Racheal Whitman); grandsons, Brayden and Oliver; sister, Susan (John) Koval; nephews, Michael (Christy) and David Koval; brother-in-law, Michael Fullerton (Darcie Booth); and aunts, uncles and cousins from her father's side in Florida. She was predeceased by her parents George and Florence Crothers. Sharon was born in Montreal, raised in Guelph and lived in Toronto from the time of entering the Physio and Occupational Therapy program at U of T. After graduation, she specialized in paediatrics and practiced at Sick Kids, Play and Learn Integrated Nursery School, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and Footprints Therapy. Sharon was a life-long learner. She consistently attended courses designed to maintain and improve her skills. She became very interested in yoga, qualified as an instructor and incorporated those skills in her practice. Sharon was always looking for new approaches to achieve even better results for adoring patients and families. She made a difference. Sharon loved her friends. She was compassionate, effective, fun and had a terrific sense of humour. She made long-lasting, close friends in all avenues of her life. They included the physio practices, North Toronto where she lived for many years, the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club, which was a second home where she was an active tennis player, and the cottage at Long Point Balsam Lake (which she loved). She liked casual gatherings and was a good and interested listener. She liked to party, enjoyed a merlot or a rum and coke and was a great dancer. Sharon was a wonderful wife of 40 years. She was an adoring mother to Kathryn and James. More recently she was a doting grandmother. We are so sorry that she will not be present for the two grandkids to be born in this coming March and July, but she has set the standard for the rest of us to live by. Sharon first had breast cancer over 20 years ago. It reappeared after 10 years and again last February. Whereas she periodically had emotions ranging from disappointment to anger to fear, she was incredibly strong throughout. There was no self pity. Even in her last days she was more concerned about matters concerning family and friends than herself. In doing so, she generated admiration, respect and affection from all. In the last year, the health care system exceeded expectations. We are thankful for the Sunnybrook Cancer Centres, nurse Pessie Shields, the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, Toronto Hospice and Kensington Hospice. The professionals that Sharon worked with were outstanding. The family will always be grateful for all the notes, flowers and well wishes received over the last few months. They were so important to Sharon. If desired, a memorial donation could be made to Sunnybrook Research Institute (Breast Cancer Research Centre), 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5; Kensington Hospice, 25 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5S 2L9 or a charity of your choice. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES - NEWBIGGING CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, February 18th. A funeral service will be held in ROSEDALE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 129 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, on Friday, February 19 at 2 o'clock. A reception will follow at the Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club, 141 Wilson Avenue, Toronto, from 3:30 - 6:00. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.