Sharon Kelly

On April 24 2025, our beloved Sharon Kelly lost a 6-year battle with cancer with grace and indefatigable courage. Sharon was the cherished daughter of Sheila Kelly (née Murphy) and the late Bernard Kelly. Sharon will be deeply missed by her beloved husband Steve, her precious daughter Bella, her brothers Kevin (Monique) and Shawn (Shawna), as well as her many nephews, nieces and friends.

Sharon was magnetic from childhood. Her generosity of spirit, positivity, and strongly-held (but quiet) opinions, endeared her to everyone she grew up in the West Island of Montreal. A talented majorette and cheerleader in high school, her artistic flair and creativity led her to Queen’s University, where she earned a degree in art history.

Sharon became a highly-respected artist and decorator, with work in the Crown Collection of Canada, and dozens of galleries, homes and offices around the world. Her paintings and interiors embody who she was: exquisitely tasteful, connected to the soul, and full of life.

While still a budding artist, Sharon managed her family's pub in Pointe Claire, where serendipity wonderfully seated Steve one night.  As the love of Steve’s life, he repaid her completion of him with tireless compassion and support throughout her illness. A devoted mother, she will always be Bella’s greatest champion and best friend, cherishing every minute, convinced of the preciousness of a mom’s love by her own mother’s passing in 1987. Sharon first thought was always for Bella and her wellbeing. She delighted in seeing the brave, independent and self-reliant adult her daughter has become - regularly and proudly sharing Bella’s worldly adventures with her friends. As a sister, her brothers and their families know how magic the words “Aunt Sharon” were, and that “in-law” is silly semantics.  

Sharon was the quintessential friend. She remained steadfastly close with friends from throughout her life, always saying yes to adventure, laughter, and mayhem until the end. Those in her circle sought her calm influence and true north decency for their own children through willingly accepted assignments as godmother, guardian, mentor, listener, or simply a welcome source of joy for messy young artists.

Together with Steve and Bella, Sharon loved traveling. It was as if their destinations: the beaches, oceans, mountains, and architecture; the sunsets, sunrises, springs, and autumns all existed for her loving appreciation – which she graciously acknowledged through her ethereal art. Those places, our spaces, and our lives are so much better because of Sharon Kelly.  Her legacy of art and love will live on in the many people she touched with her vibrant spirit. Sharon was inspirational yet unpretentious, loving, genuine, creative and wonderfully cheeky. 

Family and friends are invited on May 24th at 2pm to a memorial service followed by a reception at St. Bartholomew Church located at 125 MacKay St. in Ottawa.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Laurie, Dr. Fitzgibbon, and their teams along with the wonderful people at May Court Hospice for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The Ottawa Cancer Foundation, or Hospice Care Ottawa.

In honour of Sharon, may we always pause to embrace the serene beauty of every sunrise and sunset, a quiet gift she so deeply cherished.