Through name and address changes and astounding technological transformation, Ruth Sharpe maintained her zeal to volunteer at Brampton’s local hospital for almost six decades.

“The hospital is my No. 1 priority,” Sharpe said a few years ago when her contributions were profiled by the hospital foundation. She not only suggested the foundation be set up, but made the first contribution. “I’ve been lucky to meet a lot of great people and knowing that I’ve somehow been able to help them gives me a great deal of satisfaction.”

Sharpe, 89, died June 8 in Brampton Civic Hospital, the successor to Peel Memorial Hospital where her volunteer work began in 1963.

She took her last official voluntary shift in 2016 but remained a presence in the building until last year, says Brenda Bushey, director of board and volunteer relations.

“She was such an inspiration to us all,” says Bushey. “She was never judgmental. She was so, so kind and so appreciative of everything she experienced in life and passed that along.”

The unassuming manner of the 1977-79 president of the women’s auxiliary made her successful in her volunteer work whether in day surgery, oncology, outpatient services, diagnostic imagery or the gift shop.

Bryan Dawson, who knew Sharpe for 25 years and became “almost a stepson” says she was a mentor to many. “She’d do whatever she could for someone else. It sounds corny but she was just an extremely nice person to know.”

She was the “epitome of a volunteer” labouring for the cancer, diabetes, mental health, heart and the Red Cross societies.

She holds honourary lifetime memberships in the Brampton Board of Trade and Brampton Real Estate Board.

She was the first Brampton Real Estate Board Member of the Year in 1984, when she also received the Woman of Distinction Award from the YMCA and Zonta Club.