Sharon Ruth Peterson (MacFarlane)

– August 29, 1947 ~ November 10, 2024 –

Fertile plain, or level place. Compassionate friend. These are the Biblical meanings of my Aunt’s first and middle name. Aptly named. Aptly trained.

(Photo provided by family)

In an age where we erase the uneasy meanings so as to forget or not to offend, we lose texture. We lose truth. Or we go to great lengths to obliterate unpleasant realities from the past so that we can feel better about ourselves. We do this just in time to trip and fall over those things we erased without ever learning from them.

We re-write anything and everything that we don’t agree with or that doesn’t fit our present definition of morality. So, when I researched the meanings and origins for my late Aunt Sharon’s name(s), I looked at Webster’s 1828 Dictionary.

According to Webster’s 1828 dictionary, compassion is defined as “a suffering with another; painful sympathy; a sensation of sorrow excited by the distress or misfortunes of another; pity; commiseration”. It is described as a mixed passion, a combination of love and sorrow.

Fertile: To bear. To support and sustain without sinking or yielding. To carry. To suffer without resentment. To undergo. To keep afloat. To entertain, to carry in the mind a great love for another.

Plain, or level place could more aptly sound like this. Even, not ascending nor descending. Equal in rank or degree; having no degree of superiority. Sincere, not given to design, stratagem or duplicity.

With these words, I believe my Aunt Sharon is well represented. Multiply all of this by a love for God, an unyielding faith, and the loving bonds of family, and maybe you would know her.

Honestly, I did not know my Aunt Sharon as closely as many of my Aunts and Uncles. I was younger when she and Uncle Malcolm lived in New Brunswick, Canada. As an adult I was fortunate to see her a few times here and there, but with her health issues she didn’t get out as much as Uncle Malcolm or others.

None of this detracts from how I felt about her, loved her, and prayed for her. Nor will it take away from how I remember her.

(Photo provided by family)

Sharon Ruth Peterson (MacFarlane)

In my words, Aunt Sharon Ruth Peterson

To know one, to really know them, is to connect to all,
I speak of Peterson’s here, married, or blood, big or small.

Sharon Ruth Peterson, my Aunt, I wish I knew better,
Even so, may none of us ever forget her.

I can see her there, behind the scenes, quiet and steady,
Whatever we needed, or wanted, she would have it ready.

Nieces, nephews, friend, children her own, none did hunger or thirst,
She would prepare it, beautifully with love, never herself first.

In the background, silent, her eyes were alive and would dart,
From me to you, in between, looking for one needing her loving heart.

Cook, and entertain, with the attention going somewhere else,
The more the merrier, the better she felt.

I know she hurt for years before she left this place,
But we know those eyes now gaze upon His face.

The world we know lost a beautiful woman inside and out,
And she fought through much, her faith though, never in doubt.

Dear Malcolm as you could only know the love that did not talk,
For the hardest of us, God giveth us a rock.

To break ourselves silently against, in hours dark and light,
So that we can be His with all of our might.

I love you Malcolm, Sharon, my cousins too,
Carry her memory forward in love whatever you do.

: (Photo provided by family)

: (Photo provided by family)

: (Photo provided by family)

Uncle Malcolm and Aunt Sharon

~ Forever Sweethearts ~

: (Photo provided by family)

: (Photo provided by family)

: (Photo provided by family)

C.S. Lewis wrote, “The fact that our heart yearns for something Earth can’t supply is proof that Heaven must be our home”. Aunt Sharon is home, and I can’t help smiling because of it.

Sharon Ruth Peterson (MacFarlane)

In July, 2018 I was fortunate enough to accompany my dear Mother out to British Columbia, thanks in large part by the generosity of my late Uncle Lloyd. We were able to visit many awe inspiring places among God’s awesome creation. We were able to visit with family from a few generations. It was a treasure, all of it. Generation jumping, one of my favorite pastimes.

As I saw the picture of Malcolm and Sharon sitting together on the swing, I was brought to tears while beaming in a wide smile. What was: all of the seconds, high and low, sad and spectacular, all, water under the bridge. Sitting together on the swing, knowing, feeling, loving the one closest to them in every way. That is a life. A wonderful life. With Almighty God closer still. Yes, that is why there are “hopeful hearts”.

Peterson, Sharon Ruth
August 29, 1947 – November 10, 2024, at the age of 77 years:

It is with saddened but hopeful hearts that we announce the passing of Sharon Ruth Peterson (MacFarlane) on November 10th, 2024 at the age of 77 years.

Sharon was born to parents, Clarence and Cora Alberta MacFarlane in Saint John, New Brunswick on August 29th, 1947, the oldest of five children. There, Sharon and her siblings grew up in a home attached to her mother, “Bert’s” corner store which was a hub of connection for their community.

Sharon met her sweetheart, Malcolm, in 1968 at New Brunswick Bible Institute. They were married in Saint John in 1971 but moved shortly thereafter to Georgetown, Ontario, where their first child was born. In 1973, drawn back to the province of their roots, the young Peterson family returned to New Brunswick and ultimately settled in the town of Hartland where they began raising their children among a community of extended family and friends and during which time 7 more children were born to the Peterson’s including their son Mark who died of SIDS in 1975 at 3 months of age.

10 years later, the Peterson’s felt called to mission work and packed up their family to move to Calgary, Alberta where the youngest of their 9 children was born. Sadly, only a few days before leaving New Brunswick, their daughter, Rachel was tragically killed in a car accident. Despite their heavy hearts, the Peterson’s continued west, beginning a new life in the city.

Over the years, amidst the responsibilities of caring for a busy family, Sharon enjoyed gardening, baking, volunteering at the local church, and teaching ESL classes. Sharon’s quiet hospitality was appreciated by all who knew her – friends, family, and strangers alike – the Peterson table was frequently surrounded by many added guests. Sharon also found some of her greatest joys in hosting, cooking for, and connecting with her 21 grandchildren.

Upon retirement, and due to increasing health concerns, Sharon and Malcolm moved to Salmon Arm to live with family. Despite a prolonged and debilitating battle with Parkinson’s disease, Sharon continued to maintain a garden and to serve and play host to any who came to visit. Sharon passed into glory while at home, surrounded by family on November 10th, 2024.

Sharon was predeceased by her parents, Clarence and Cora Alberta, brother, George, son, Mark, daughter, Rachel, and granddaughter, Asia. Sharon is survived by her husband, Malcolm, siblings, Ariel, Francis, and David, children, Micaiah, Matthew, Esther, Andrew, Elisabeth, Rhoda, and Aaron along with twenty grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

Sharon’s life was one of care and service to others and she will be missed dearly by those she loved.

A service to commemorate her life will be held on Saturday, November 16th, at 11:00 AM PST at Broadview Evangelical Free Church in Salmon Arm with a reception to follow. Memorial gifts may be made to Parkinson Canada.

Lastly, I use a sentiment that was beautifully written by Charles Spurgeon to sign off of this tribute to my Aunt Sharon Ruth Peterson (MacFarlane). I arranged the words just slightly to fit this particular farewell. To the Malcolm and Sharon Peterson family:

I sorrow with you all over the departure of your dear Sharon. She was a dear woman ready to take her place with the shining ones. Lloyd, Barbara, Mark and Rachel, and the others will receive her as a messenger from you. May peace and consolation flow into the hearts of you all.

I cannot ease your pain, but there is another Comforter who can and will do so. Receive my heartfelt sympathy. We are all going the same way. Our dear Sharon has outrun us. We shall catch her up soon.

With abundant love, Steve Beal Sr. January, 2025.