Sharon Stewart had two major passions in her life: UBC and helping those who, like herself, were born with aniridia. She has combined these passions in an estate gift to the University that will support aniridia research for years to come. Aniridia is a rare genetic disease characterized by the absence or partial absence of the iris. People with aniridia are born with limited vision, which deteriorates over time until it is completely lost.

Sharon was born in 1943 to Jim and Helen Harmer. Her mother and father met at UBC (in Gordon Shrum’s physics class), fell in love and were married in 1942. Jim became a lieutenant in the Canadian Army and was killed in action in France in 1944 before he could see his daughter.

Following her husband’s death, Helen worked as a secretary at UBC, first for Gordon Shrum and then for President Norman McKenzie. Sharon recalled playing in the executive offices while her mother worked overtime.

Helen remarried when Sharon was 11 years old, and Sharon became part of a blended family of six children. She attended UBC and graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Commerce. At that time, her vision was only five percent.

Sharon had a lifelong love of music: she studied piano as a child and had a lovely singing voice. She particularly enjoyed listening to Frank Sinatra and Robert Silverman recordings, and was known to quiz friends who had attended concerts and recitals.

Sharon’s friends often remarked on her excellent memory and great attention to detail. She never forgot a name or event, and had an exceptional sense of direction. As a member of the UBC President’s Circle, she attended donor events faithfully, even when her physical mobility became reduced later in life.

Sharon was always proud of her father’s career at UBC. Jim was an exceptional hockey, football and rugby player, and received the Big Block award seven times. He was posthumously inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. Sharon’s gifts to UBC Athletics honour the accomplishments of the father she never met and will help build the new UBC Sports Hall of Fame in the Thunderbird Arena.

Sharon died on June 9, 2008. Her memorial service was attended by many, many friends who remembered her laughter, optimism, love of cuddling babies and puppies, and enjoyment of sharing good food with great friends.

During her lifetime, Sharon contributed over $2.5 million toward aniridia research at UBC, including establishing the Sharon Stewart Aniridia Research Award. Her estate gift will significantly advance this research aimed at both preventing the disease and improving the lives of those born with aniridia.

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