Sharon Lynn Van Gaalen of Foremost, gracefully slipped into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 surrounded by her loving family.

Sharon was born on December 13, 1961 in Bow Island. She grew up on the family farm SW of Foremost and attended Foremost School. After graduation she attended SAIT where she graduated with honours as a Registered Laboratory Technician. She worked in Haematology at the Lethbridge Hospital for several years before returning to Foremost to marry her high school sweetheart and love of her life Garth Van Gaalen. She worked at the lab in Foremost where she loved getting to know all the people she treated.

In June of 1989, they were blessed with their first son Quinn. Chase followed in April 1992 and Pierce completed their family in January 1995. Sharon's faith was the foundation for her life enabling her to excel in the loving care of her family. Her family was her life and she cherished every experience, every moment shared with them. She loved to serve her God and community by playing piano, teaching Sunday school and vacation bible school, organizing food for the booth, for drivers, coaching volleyball, being Treasurer and kitchen rep for Foremost Minor Hockey. If there was a need, Sharon gladly accepted the challenge. She loved farm life and took great pride in her yard and her home. She wanted her home to be a haven for her family filled with love and good memories of birthdays and holidays and life fully lived. She cherished her relationship and times spent with her best friends...her sisters, Karen and JoAnn. When her children were older, Sharon began working at the Mayfield Colony School with 2 special young men, Kurtis and Justin Stahl. Sharon continued to share her love and caring spirit as she taught these boys and all the special children of Mayfield.

Sharon faced her diagnosis with hope and faith and her final months with grace and strength. She inspired and touched the lives of all of those around her including the doctors and nurses who cared for her.
Sharon was the faithful loving wife of Garth, the extraordinary mother of Quinn, Chase, and Pierce, the precious daughter of Richard and Shirley Walters, and the cherished sister of Karen (Ken) Thompson and JoAnn (Kirk) Jurgens; sister-in law to Brenda Van Gaalen, Harold (Carrie) Van Gaalen, Nick (Lorraine) Van Gaalen, and Matt (Brenda) Van Gaalen. She is also survived by her grandma Hazel Simanton as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and their families.

Sharon was pre-deceased by her father and mother-in-law Matt and Mary Van Gaalen, brother-in-law Ken Van Gaalen and her grandparents Ray and Muriel Walters and Ed Simanton.

A Graveside Service will be held at 12:30pm on Monday, November 28, 2011 at the HIGHFIELD CEMETERY, Burdett, AB, followed by a Memorial Service at 2:00pm at the FOREMOST COMMUNITY HALL, 802 - 1 Ave West, with Pastor David Swinney officiating.

Flowers are gratefully declined. In memory of Sharon, the family requests: donate a ""Shoe Box"" for Operation Christmas Child or make a donations to Focus on the Family, 19946 - 80 ""A"" Ave, Langley, BC V2Y 0J8 or online: www.focusonthefamily.ca.