Sharon Rachel Maranz was born in Jaffa, Israel on May 4, 1964 to Miriam and Aaron Maranz. When she was two years old her family moved to South Africa.
After graduating from high school, Sharon worked in classified ads for the South African Weekend Argus. When she spotted an ad for an aupair in New York City, she answered it herself and thus began her adventure in North America.
After New York, she moved to San Diego, and later to Alaska where she worked as an outdoor guide. This was one of her favourite places as Sharon was adept in the wilderness and loved working with people and being in nature.
When Sharon received her immigration papers to Canada, she relocated to Nelson to attend the Selkirk College Contemporary Music Program in 2000. She graduated in spring of 2002 with a vocal performance major.
Sharon lived in Nelson until 2004 where she taught Hebrew and music. She earned her ESL teaching diploma in Vancouver and put this training to use when she traveled in in South America and later when she settled in Nova Scotia.
It was during her time in Halifax that Sharon desperately wanted to have a child and in 2008 Sharon moved back to Israel to pursue her dream. On November 17, 2009, her daughter Daisy Dunya Maranz was born. Daisy was Sharon’s greatest joy and love.
Sharon was an avid musician, outdoors woman, and traveler. She loved nature, people, horses, good food, wine, great books and most of all, her daughter Daisy.
On September 28, 2014, after a short battle with Lymphoma, Sharon died in Nessar, Israel. She was 50. Sharon leaves behind her daughter Daisy, mother Miriam, father Aaron, step-mother Louise, sister Anat, nephews Tom and Tal, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, and countless friends.
There will be a celebration of life for Sharon on Saturday, November 1 from 2-3:30 pm at the Old Church Hall on the corner of Kootenay and Victoria streets in downtown Nelson. Live music, stories, and reflections are welcome.
A memory box is being created for Daisy so that she can remember her mother and their years in Nelson. Please bring any photos or written or recorded memories of Sharon to place in this treasure box for Daisy.