SHARON GAIL CHONSTKE Obituary (1954 - 2013)

Born Jul 13, 1954, SHARON GAIL CHONSTKE attended Sisler High School in Winnipeg, MB. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Sharon Gail Chonstke.

Graduation Year	Class of 1972
Date of Birth	Jul 13, 1954
Date of Passing	Feb 06, 2013
About	SHARON GAIL MONCEK (nee CHONSTKE) July 13, 1954 - February 6, 2013 After a four year battle with multiple myeloma, our precious angel, Sharon passed away peacefully with her family at her bedside at St. Boniface Hospital. Sharon is survived by her loving husband of 28 years, Dr. John Moncek, her sons Andrew (Suzanne), Matthew, and Jordan; her dear mother Doris Chonstke; sister Eleanor (Barry) Boyce from Texas, brother Michael; nephews, Godson Ryan (Alycia) Boyce, Adam Boyce; and numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins. Special acknowledgement goes to her Aunt Marie (Frank) Graboweski. Sharon wanted to thank her very close and caring friends during this difficult time; Lorraine Krywy, Barb and Nancy Latocki, Debbie Le Bane, Cheryl Saper, Anne Kishka, Joy Wilton and Sharon Ritchie. She was predeceased by her father Frank Chonstke on January 10, 2013 (Daddy's Girl) and by her mother-in-law Helen Moncek. Sharon will always be remembered for giving of herself before others, her kindness, caring, enthusiasm, wit, and her natural ability to take on any challenge; indeed an exceptionally positive person. Throughout her life she touched many people in numerous ways. She was a strong woman whose stamina and courage was second only to her grace and stoicism in a very difficult time. A remarkable woman, bountiful soul, and dear friend. She reminded us always to love, laugh, live, to never stop dreaming, and never give up. Remember her by her favourite saying, "How beautiful a world touched by kindness." Sharon was born and raised in Winnipeg. She was a feisty, determined child which shaped her adulthood. She was a pharmacist by profession but transitioned to pharmaceutical sales because of her outstanding people skills and her love of travel and adventure. She was the second female drug representative to be on the road in the extensive territory of Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. She was also the first female president, on the 50th Anniversary, of the Red River Drug Rangers Social Club. Her life changed when she met her husband Dr. John. Her number one goal was to have and nurture a family. Through this marriage, Sharon was blessed with three wonderful sons. Sharon and John decided, after the arrival of their third son, that she would become a full time mother. That decision led her to volunteer at Laidlaw School and ultimately she became the lunch program coordinator. While volunteering and working at Laidlaw School, she undertook management and training at her husband's medical practice in 1996, where she continued to work in the office, even after her cancer diagnosis. In 2000 Sharon reentered the pharmacy field as a pharmaceutical technician. During this time, Sharon became an instructor of pharmaceutical technicians at Robertson College. She continued to work in the capacity of the office manager at her husband's medical practice while raising their children. John and Sharon loved to travel and they did this at first together, and later with their children, leaving everyone with memories to cherish. Precious Winnipeg summers were spent at the Eleanor Lake family cottage. She was a voracious reader, especially by the pool, on the dock at the lake, and anywhere near the ocean on vacation. She loved to garden and brought beauty to her home, family, and friends. The family dog, Simba, brought love and comfort to Sharon in ways that she did not think was possible. In October of 2008, Sharon was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. She transitioned into a fighter of the disease both through numerous chemotherapy treatments as well as through raising awareness and funds in hopes of fighting and trying to find a cure for this cancer. During this time, she also found the strength to volunteer for the Seven Oaks Hospital Foundation. She was also a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Women's League of Canada at the Holy Family Parish. Prayers will be held at Cropo Funeral Chapel, Luxton and Main St. on Sunday, February 10, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Church, Grant and Harrow St., on Monday, February 11, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. where Father Darren Kawiuk will be officiating. Gratitude goes out to to her oncologist Dr. Ade Olujohungbe, to the nurses in the treatment room at CancerCare Manitoba, and also the palliative care physician Dr. Bruce Martin, for his compassion. Gratitude also to Sharon's sister and friend, Eleanor Boyce, who helped care for Sharon and also helped immensely with the arrangements for the funeral and services. Many thanks to the Graboweski family for providing musical services and a photo slide show at the services. Donations may be made in Sharon's name to the myelomacanada.ca website. To read Sharon's story as she presented at the September 2012 Myeloma Convention go to tinyurl.com/sharonmoncek (for "Sharon's Song"). Cremation has occurred and a private family service and interment will be held with the immediate family at a later date. Publish Date: Feb 9, 2013