Sharon Anne Wilson (nee Webb) - 1938-2017

The Orangeville Show Chorus is sad to announce the passing of charter member Sharon Wilson. Sharon worked tirelessly with the Board to make sure all was in order as the chorus applied for their charter.  She served as Vice President, President, Costume Chair, Lead Section Leader and was also on many committees. As section leader, Sharon stressed accuracy and was her own evaluation process long before the course ever thought of making recordings to be checked. During her tenure with the chorus she switched to Bass and became a great addition to that section.

Sharon was an excellent administrator as well and her strong leadership kept the chorus on track, especially in the early days when all were learning about the organization. Board meetings used to be held in members homes and she enjoyed hosting the board around her dining room table, providing some home-baked goodies for refreshments once the business was finished.

Sharon loved the music and had some favourites including Battle Hymn of the Republic. She filled in with several quartets but never had one of her own. She did take part in the now famous double quartet at a fifties show where they sang Seven Little Girls Sitting In The Backseat, Hugging And Kissing With Fred.  'Fred' was played by Sharon's husband Fred who loved being surrounded on the risers by all the women! It was a memorable performance.

As Costume Chair, Sharon assisted with many costume choices and did her fair share of sewing. She made many of the red capes the chorus used to wear at Christmas time. When they were completed, she had a trimming party at her house where many chorus members help to glue on the cotton batting for a trim! Sharon's costume secret – wearing white gloves to put on a chorus panty hose to avoid runs! Her daughter Michelle said that she had shared that wisdom with all her nieces!

The chorus took part in several Santa Claus parades and wore those capes. The parades were always videotaped and share and then hosted 'chilli' parties where the chorus and hubbies would gather to watch and see how we did.

Sharon was a force to be reckoned with in whatever she took on, and the chorus benefitted from her tenacity, dedication and hard work to get the job done well.

When she retired from the course for health reasons, Sharon kept in touch and gave her support at shows and other events. She was not shy about also providing some 'input' on how we were sounding at the time. This was appreciated and well received by members, especially those who are called her mentoring them while she was on the risers.

Sharon was born in Orangeville and lived over the dairy that her dad, Fred Webb, owned and operated. She was married to Fred Wilson for 52 years (he died in 2013) and had four children – Steve, Greg, Andrea, and Michelle, two of whom were born on Fred's birthday! She loved to entertain, play bridge and was active with Fred and Lions club activities over the years.

Rest in peace, Sharon. The Heavenly Choir now has a wonderful new Bass, or perhaps Lead, or who knows, maybe she now wants to be one of 'Gods Chosen.' She had the talent to do just that.