Dear friends in Christ in the Diocese of Moosonee, and friends of the Very Rev. Sharon Murdoch,
It is with sadness that I share the news of the Very Rev. Sharon Murdoch’s death on Sunday evening following a lengthy illness, bravely borne. Dean Sharon is well known and much loved throughout the Diocese of Moosonee, having served in various faith communities for over twenty years, where she continues to be remembered today.
The rugged beauty of the Moosonee landscape, including the harshest of winters, along with the salt of the earth people who called Moosonee their spiritual home drew her in. She was truly happy living in Northern Ontario, indefatigable.
As news of her death filtered down through the parishes and amongst her diocesan family this week, stories of her passion for the gospel and service to the church flooded chat rooms and one on one conversations. These stories included how she journeyed with people through difficult moments to the joy she brought with her in daily encounters with God’s people.
Dean Sharon is also being remembered in the Diocese of Ontario where she was an Honourary Assistant in the parish of St. Thomas’s Kingston, a title given by Bishop George Bruce. Unfortunately, because of her illness Dean Sharon was unable to serve in that capacity.
Dean Sharon is being remembered by her loving and devoted father Bill, who visited Dean Sharon every day that she was in the hospital, and his wife Zoe. Her mother Betty, predeceased her. Sharon is also deeply missed by her brother Neil, his wife Gisele and their children Caroline, Jamie and David.
This summer former Archbishop of Moosonee, the Most Rev. Caleb Lawrence prepared a fitting tribute to Rev. Sharon. We share it today in thanksgiving and to honour a godly woman whose legacy will live on in the Diocese of Moosonee.
Jesus said to his disciples: “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself that where I am you may be also.” (John 14)
Today then, let us rejoice as we celebrate Dean Sharon’s entry into the nearer presence of God. In dying she had been made whole and taken to that place where broken things are mended and lost things are found; where there is rest for the weary and joy for the sad, and where we will meet our loved ones again.
Let us give thanks to God for Dean Sharon, for her love and her life and let us pray that all that was good in her life will continue to bear fruit in our lives and in the lives of all who knew her and were loved by her.
+Anne
Moosonee
