Obituary of Sharon Oliver

Oliver, Dr. Sharon (Clyke) - 70, of Wolfville, died Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at the Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville. She was the daughter of Emily (Davis) Clyke, Montreal and the late Stanley Clyke. Sharon graduated from Westmount High school. Her degrees include an RN from the Montreal General Hospital; a Bachelor of Nursing and Diploma in Public Health from McGill University; and a Juris Doctor degree from the University Of Florida Law School of Law. She practised Public Health Nursing in Montreal and Nova Scotia, and taught nursing at Mount Saint Vincent University and Lakehead University. She held leadership roles in health-care policy and planning in Thunder Bay, ON; Montreal, QC; Gainesville, Florida; and Halifax, NS. Sharon was the founding Executive Director of the Maritime Council of Teaching Hospitals and the Halifax Metropolitan Hospital Advisory Committee and served as President of the Nova Scotia Association of Health Organizations. In recognition of her outstanding professional contributions she was awarded a Progress Women of Excellence Award (Health Category). She was committed to improving health care in North America and was skilled at helping professionals deal with change. As a teacher, she never ceased mentoring young people. As founding President of Oliver Management Connexus Inc., Sharon completed Community Development projects in several Nova Scotian communities. She helped define the role of the Order of Nova Scotia Advisory Committee as its founding Chair. She was Vice-president of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society, Vice-President of the Valley African Nova Scotian Development Association and Executive Member of the Progressive Conservative Party of Nova Scotia. She believed firmly in the need for ordinary citizens to spearhead positive changes and create a better society. Sharon served locally on the boards of Mount Saint Vincent University, Dalhousie University and Metro United Way; provincially on the Nova Scotia Minister?¢s Advisory Committee on Immigration; and nationally on the Federal Judicial Advisory Committee for Nova Scotia. Her wisdom in policy development and planning were sought by many organizations. Sharon is survived by a loving family - her husband Dr. Leslie Oliver, Wolfville, NS; daughter Dr. Marcia Oliver, Greer, South Carolina; daughter Monica (Simon) Corston-Oliver, New Westminster, BC; grandsons Tyler and Andrew, New Westminster, BC; mother Emily Clyke, Montreal; brother, Graeme (Betty-Lou) Clyke, Montreal. She will be missed by family, associates and friends. A charitable donation in Dr. Sharon Oliver?¢s memory may be made to the organization that she loved, the Black Loyalist Heritage Society, 104 Old Birchtown Road, P.O. Box 1194, Shelburne, NS B0T 1W0. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held 2-4 p.m. Sunday January 23, in Manning Memorial Chapel, Wolfville where a Memorial service, followed by a reception will be 2 p.m. Monday, January 24, 2011 with Rev. Roger Prentice and The Reverend Virginia Cookman officiating. Interment in Oakridge Memorial Cemetery, Lucasville at a later date. Family flowers only. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Serenity Lindsay Funeral & Crematorium, 568 Main Street, Wolfville, NS, B4P 1E7.Donations or Cards in memory may be sent to this address or on-line at: www.serenitylindsayfuneralhome.ca VISITATION: 2-4 P.M. SUNDAY IN MANNING MEMORIAL CHAPEL, ACADIA UNIVERSITY, WOLFVILLE FUNERAL: 2:00 P.M. MONDAY IN MANNING MEMORIAL CHAPEL, ACADIA UNIVERSITY, WOLFVILLE