In Loving Memory of 
Irene Sharp
(nee Williamson) 
age 98

Lovingly remembered by her children, Bruce, Patty (Garth) and Karen (Leonard),
grandchildren Courtney, Robin, Anthony, Amanda, 
and Caroline as well as their families. 
She is predeceased by her beloved husband Stan. 

 

Died
January 13, 2026
At her residence
Killarney, Manitoba 

 

A Celebration of Life will be 
announced and held at a later date. 

 

Donations in memory of Irene may be made to the
Killarney United Church; 
PO Box 9, Killarney, MB R0K 1G0
Or to a charity of one’s choice. 

 

Irene May Sharp (nee Williamson)
Irene passed away at home in Killarney, MB on January 13, 2026 at the age of 98.
Irene will be lovingly remembered by her children Bruce, Patty (Garth) Brister, Karen (Leonard) Enns; her 5 grandchildren: Anthony (Tara) Enns, Amanda (Leif) Leitner, Caroline (Shane) Vandenberghe, Courtney (Jon) Arndt, Robin Brister (Steph Purvis), her 9 great grandchildren: Hudson, Miles, Tori, Fletcher Vandenberghe, Kayleigh, Zane, Milo Leitner, Finley, Lili Arendt and her brother James (Jim) Willamson and his family. Irene was predeceased by her husband in March of 2012, her parents Frank and Susie Williamson and her sister-in-law Audrey Williamson.

Irene was born March 4, 1927 in Belmont, Manitoba and the family later moved to a farm south of Belmont, close to Alma School that Irene was destined to attend. The one-room school proved to be the social hub for neighboring families and was key to Irene's lifetime love of music. A teacher at the school, Anne Hawn, taught her piano lessons and from there, the musical journey started. Irene was especially excited and proud when she was then able to accompany her father who played the fiddle for many years.

Irene's family retired from the farm in 1945 and they moved to Belmont where her father operated a dairy business.

This move opened more musical opportunities and Irene was able to play for the United Church choir and a sizable congregation for a number of years. Her interest in music also led her to join the local marching band but this required her to learn how to play the Alto horn.
 

Married in 1948, Irene and Stan moved to Killarney, Mb. where again, more musical opportunities opened. Over the years, Irene met and played with many wonderful musicians, musicians who became lifelong friends or accompanists. She loved to share her music and playing music at personal care homes provided her with some of her most memorable experiences.
 

It would be simple to say that family, friends and music were Irene's passions in life but lending a helping hand or contributing to the community were also priorities. She was long standing member the United Church in Belmont and Killarney, the Rae Rebekah Lodge (60 years), a member of the Tri-Lake Health Centre Auxiliary for a period of time and loved to simply visit with seniors. She received an Honorable Mention Certificate from the Manitoba Council on Aging for her many years of dedication playing piano for seniors, an honor she proudly received at the Legislative Building in Winnipeg.
 

As a further acknowledgement to Irene's passion for music, in 2014 the Manitoba Fiddler Association inducted Irene onto their Manitoba Wall of Fame in Carman, Manitoba, in the builder category. The award was to acknowledge her dedication in promoting old-time music in the community and surrounding areas.

Over the years Irene and Stan loved to camp, golf and travel - all activities that meant they could meet new people and form new friendships. They had some wonderful trips to Barbados, Jamaica, Bermuda, Bahamas, California, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Osoyoos and Victoria.

A celebration of Irene's life to be held later this spring.