1937 - 2016
On Thursday July 14,2016 Sharon Thompson of Okanagan Falls passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at the Penticton Regional hospital after a brave battle with an aggressive form of cancer at the age of 78.
She was predeceased by her parents Buster and June Mallory; brothers Lester and Donald (Lucky) and her Uncle Lester D. Mallory a US ambassador.
Sharon will be deeply missed by her loving family, husband Tony; sons Kevin (Cheryl), Wade (Tracy) and her 2 grand children Haley and Tayler who were her pride and joy as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Sharon was born in Penticton at Haven Hill Hospital on October 12, 1937. In 1942 her family returned to the USA, eventually residing in Tonasket, WA where she completed her education.
Summer months were spent helping her dad Buster who was a racehorse trainer. They travelled to the fairs throughout WA, OR, ID, and MT. Sharon returned to Okanagan Falls where she met her husband to be Tony, and the couple married November 14, 1959. In 1964, Tony and Sharon purchased their first Black Angus cows (7) and began a small ranching operation. It soon grew to an 80 head herd along with raising registered quarter horses. She was not afraid of work and she kept the home fires burning while Tony was off truck driving.
Over the years Sharon worked with the BC Livestock Co-Op and for 16 years penned cattle on her trusty registered quarter horse Mr. Ro Glo. She spent 25 years as secretary / treasurer for the White Lake Stock Association. She was an avid and extremely knowledgeable horse woman who loved doing horse pedigrees in her spare time. She was also a family historian and could trace her own family roots back to Sir Francis Drake and the Mayflower. She dedicated many years compiling and recording historical data for the Haynes family. Following the passing of her mother in-law, Alice Haynes Thompson, Sharon became the eldest woman in the Thompson clan and naturally assumed the role of matriarch over the entire family with her strength and character. She will be missed during branding season where she would clean and cook the rocky mountain oysters the old fashioned way.
She had a simple, no nonsense way about her that people appreciated and respected.
The void that Sharon’s passing has left on her family and friends is tremendous, and will be felt for years to come, her stories around campfires and at family gatherings are now fond memories that will be cherished.
In lieu of flowers, donations are gratefully accepted for the Penticton Regional Hospital Building Fund.
A graveside urn interment service will be held at 2 pm at the Okanagan Falls Cemetery July 29, 2016. A Celebration of Life gathering will take place at the Okanagan Falls
Community Centre at 3:30 pm.
Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting
www.nunes-pottinger.com
Arrangements entrusted to ...
Nunes-Pottinger
Funeral Service & Crematorium
Oliver & Osoyoos, BC 250-498-0167
www.nunes-pottinger.com