Sharon Ruth Belfry

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Sharon Ruth Belfry, (nee: Houghan) beloved wife, mother, and grandmother on December 27, 2023, at the age of 81.

Sharon leaves behind her loving children, Deane (Kelley-Anne), Lynette (Pascal), Laurene (Jason), and Scott (Rebecca). She adored her 12 grandchildren: Brendan (Alana), Ryan (Tamara), Courtney, Benjamin (Sarah), Kaitlyn, Zachary, Emma, Abigail, Brianna, Adjanie, Beckham, and Jacob, in addition to her two great-grandchildren: Rory and Colby McNalley. She will be fondly remembered by her younger sister Lorraine (Houghan) and brother-in-law Paul Lane, and their children, Stephanie (Dan), Mark (Kendra) and Kent (Pamela) and her many colleagues and friends. Sharon was pre-deceased by her loving husband Jamie in March of this same year, her parents, Gordon and Rowena (King) Houghan and eldest daughter, Nadine (Belfry) McNalley.

Sharon was born in Toronto, Ontario on August 13, 1942, and grew up in Toronto. Following graduation from high school, Sharon attended teachers’ college afterwards she immediately began teaching until retirement. She had an extremely successful and long career as The Scarborough Board of Education (now the Toronto District School Board) as one of the first special education teachers of the Board. After marrying on December 21, 1963, in her parents’ home, Sharon and Jamie moved to Scarborough where they raised their five children. In 1989, they moved to the Town of Uxbridge, where they resided for more than 20 years. Upon retirement, they settled on the shore of Fairy Lake in Huntsville and, until a few years ago, spent their winters together in Florida, always happy to welcome family and friends.

Sharon was very involved in the church throughout her life, starting with Youth for Christ and continuing to Churchill Heights (Scarborough), Uxbridge Baptist (Uxbridge) and, finally, Riverside Baptist (Huntsville). When in Florida, they were actively involved in Starkey Road Baptist Church.

Sharon was truly a giving person. Whenever she saw a need, she looked to fill that need. She loved to adopt pets that needed to be re-homed. There was rarely a time that her home had fewer than 2 pets. She loved to knit for her grandchildren and enjoyed creating sweaters and other items nearly to the end. She also enjoyed shopping – and finding a good deal! Her favorite past time was to talk on the telephone for hours on end. Our mother and grandmother will be dearly missed.

An internment service will be held in the spring.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be sent to either The Gideons International: https://www.gideons.org, or to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation: https://huntsvillehospitalfoundation.ca/ways-to-give/.