With heavy hearts we celebrate the life of our Mom, Sharron Skunta, born May 28, 1946 and who peacefully passed away on her own terms on May 17, 2025 after being diagnosed with a terminal illness a few years prior. Sharron was a cherished daughter, sister, teacher, wife, mother and friend who built a life to be proud of, one that leaves a profound legacy on all those who were fortunate enough to meet her. A woman, progressive and liberal for her time, Sharron paved the foundation for a wonderful life for her family.
Sharron was born in Port Arthur, Ontario, to Sandford Kellog Shaver and Kathleen Mae (Molly) Westlake (Shaver). Tragedy struck with the death of her World War Two Veteran father at the age of two. It was then that her extended Shaver family stepped in to help raise her. The importance of family and a village to raise a child was never so true. Sharron, as the only child of many aunts and uncles, was loved and supported like no other. Uncle Jack, took over the position of male role model and insisted Sharron learn to drive as soon as of age to do so. He encouraged fitness and taught her to skate, bowl and ski. Her love for adventure and confidence in trying new things is attributed to him. Sharron’s independence and work ethic, as well as sense of community and compassion was surely sparked by her mom’s dedication to giving and role modelling.
Sharron’s young years gifted her a step brother at the age of 8. Sharron loved her brother Ricky as a sibling but also for his talent as a musician at the young age of 3. They moved to Montreal for a few years, before returning to Port Arthur to be supported and raised by her mom and the extended Shaver family once again. Before Ricky predeceased Sharron at the age of 18, he walked Sharron down the aisle in marriage. This profound loss of a sibling left Sharron again with a broken heart, but optimism and gratitude prevailed --which is how Sharron continued to live her life.
Sharron found the good in everything and everyone. Her family made the mundane vibrant and fun. Every occasion was celebrated, from Valentine’s Day to Canada Day. Any reason to get together, celebrate in theme and eat and be merry were embraced. This lifestyle continued until the day Sharron died, with a sun soaked garden dinner just the night before. As much as Sharron liked to celebrate, she also liked to work hard.
Sharron had a work ethic second to none. Her first job was at McNulty’s Clothing Store. To this day, Sharron is remembered as the bright, engaging sales girl in the shoe department. Lifelong friendships were established there and people would reference memories of meeting or seeing Sharron from that era even in recent years. Her beautiful persona and sparkle in her eye is hard to forget. Although she loved her retail job, her dreams reached further and she pursued a job in education.
Sharron become a teacher— an exceptional one. It was as if it was a calling knowing from the time she was in Grade 2 that she would pursue this career path. As a teen, she began her career in elementary education and continued to remain passionate about teaching until retirement at the age of 52. During her career she earned her B.A. with Honours and B.Ed. from Lakehead University. She continued her education earning diplomas in special education so she could best meet the varying needs of her students. Sharron also created a family during this time, only leaving her job for short maternity leaves after each of her three daughters were born.
Sharron loved her chosen profession. She created a classroom where every child felt seen, supported and immersed in the joy of learning. She built traditions, taking an entire class of kindergarteners skating weekly during winter months and hosting the same group at her home for a spring picnic. Sharron may have coined the phrase: “you never work a day in your life, if you love your job” as this career path seemed to energize her by day's end.
Having a career of her own meant having financial means. Having grown up at a time with little luxuries, Sharron became savvy with her money and made investments that were progressive for her era. Her first car came only when she could pay for it in full with cash. She was the driving force of taking financial risk to see great gain in her marriage with her spouse of 51years, Lawrence Skunta who was predeceased only 7 months ago. Together Sharron and Lawrence made investments in their marriage, their family and real estate.
As Sharron was innately compassionate and kind, she wanted to make sure her mother Molly had a wonderful life into her old age. Molly had ensured Sharron lived a good life despite hardships in her formative years, and so Sharron purchased a home for her mom to live comfortably and independently, well into her late 80’s. Sharron was the best landlord and had truly loving tenants. It was an investment in love above all.
Marrying at 25 years old, Sharron was the last of her friends to commit to a lifelong partnership. She waited for just the right character to match her sense of adventure, her love for connection to others, and her family values and work ethic. In Lawrence, she found a partner she could build a warm and loving home and create beautiful memories with. He supported Sharron’s career goals and at 7 yrs older than her, she knew what she was getting in a partner who was already balding when she fell in love.
Together they had three daughters, Kathleen, Shanley and Kristie. With Lawrence’s career taking him on the road often, Sharron managed the day-to-day parenting on her own. She made home made lunches, spending the hour with her family at home and returning to school once lunch was done. Despite such demands, she made it a priority to involve her daughters in meaningful activities—driving them to swimming lessons, dance, Girl Guides and skiing. She valued creating lifelong skills and friendships. She juggled the many demands of a working mother with patience, strength, and an unwavering sense of purpose.
Sharron loved the outdoors from a young age and having summers off as a teacher helped to optimize time in the sun. She grew up in cottage life with extended family owning camps, and trailers, hosting gatherings to swim or just for a Sunday meal. She wished for her daughters to experience this same love. As a young family, that dream became reality with the purchase of a camp. Upon seeing the snowy yard of the camp for the first time, Sharron wrote in the snow: “WE LIKE IT.” It became a place “We LOVED”. The camp to this day is as rustic as the day it was bought and remains full of charm and memories—row boat and pedal boat rides, tadpole and frog catching, blueberry picking, and long summer nights by the bonfire watching the sunset. This investment for family experiences was one of many.
Sharron would plan family vacations and road trips for a few weeks every summer. Travels took her and her young family RVing in the Rocky Mountains and feeling the vibe of Elvis in Graceland and trips to Disney World in Florida for March Break. Her passion for travel continued as she and Lawrence followed their daughter, Kristie’s travels to Kananaskis, Barbados, New York, Connecticut, California. They would visit Kathleen’s family and Shanley in Calgary exploring what Alberta had to offer. They shared many travels in retirement seeing the sights aboard the Rocky Mountaineer through the breathtaking landscapes of Alberta and British Columbia. They enjoyed cruises to the Caribbean, Greece, Alaska and numerous trips to Europe with dear friends. Even nearby Duluth was a welcomed vacation getaway.
Sharron was retired for over 26 years and made the most of every day. If it wasn’t time spent traveling, Sharron could be found tending to her immaculate flower gardens in the front and back of her home. She would spend hours pruning and weeding and replanting to get the best colours and heights for the perfect oasis. You could find Sharron in her garden with music playing if she wasn’t out at one of her many social events- Gabby Club events, Sunday breakfasts, Algonquin dinners or volunteering for Meals on Wheels, Elections Canada, Christmas Cheer, St. Vincent de Paul just to name a few. Sharron was proud to live in Thunder Bay. She supported all local events and believed in giving back to the community through volunteering and more so attending organized events and living the culture.
Sharron, for years, attended Summer in the Parks concerts on Wednesdays, listening to the MacGillivray Pipe Band on Thursday evenings at Hillcrest Park. She loyally attended the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra with the Pop Series being her favourite. Sharron could be seen regularly walking the waterfront, attending Canada Day celebrations and the winter carnival days in awe of the ice sculptures and artistic talents our city has to offer.
Sharron was a woman of faith. She coined herself ‘dual-track’ when it came to religion as she was baptized Protestant but to marry had to embrace Catholicism at the time. Over the years, Sharron emanated values and morals that one should live with faith not fear. Her liberal views took her away from organized religion, but never from her spirituality.
Of all Sharron’s accomplishments, her most prized were her three daughters, Kathleen, Shanley and Kristie and her 7 grandchildren- Hudson, Lachlan, Kolt, Kayln, Kamry, Keavy and Krosby. Sharron wanted nothing more than to raise her girls in a life of love and opportunity. She supported goal setting and achievement, she required that they spread their wings and fly, but created a homestead where they all looked forward to returning to. Sharron was the best cheerleader attending sports events, chef preparing family dinners, party planner for special occasions and tour guide in travels and life.
Sharron’s family extended to include her very dear friendships. Some lifelong cherished friends who’ve become family are: Mary Wheatley, Darlene Lesniewski, Linda and Ted Etienne, Raija and Jon Vainio, Al and Rosan Summers, Gabby Club girls, the Sisko’s, Marg Pierce, and many more important humans.
In her last days of living, she was supported by the love of her family and friends. Daily visits and FaceTime calls fueled her soul to go on as long as she was able to and for this she was truly grateful.
Sharron is predeceased by her: father, mother, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother, husband, and many cousins, aunts and uncles and other close relatives in the Westlake, Shaver, and Skunta families. She is survived by her daughters Kathleen (Nathan Ross), Shanley, Kristie (Will Crocker) and grandchildren Hudson, Lachlan Ross and Kolt, Kayln, Kamry, Keavy and Krosby Crocker and two grandpups Rosie and Max.
Her last days at home were made more comfortable by the constant, compassionate and considerate care of her daughter, Kristie who moved in to assist our Mom. Sharron was eternally grateful for the medical care provided in her home by home care nurses, her doctor, Dr. Echum and palliative care physician Dr. Bezanson.
Sharron passed away peacefully on May 17, 2025, just shy of her 79th birthday. She will be remembered for so many wonderful characteristics: her warmth, resilience, generosity, and deep devotion to her family. Help Sharron’s legacy live on by smiling at those who may not smile back, planting a perennial to watch the flowers bloom in the spring, or wearing the colour of the day- be it Valentine’s or World Epilepsy day (purple) or the like. Please pause a moment on what would be Sharron’s 79th birthday on May 28th - raise a glass, share a smile, go out into a garden in honour of Sharron and to wish her a happy heavenly birthday!
There will be a celebration of life for Sharron in August in Thunder Bay. When plans have been finalized they will be shared as soon as possible.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
