Sharp-Healy Family

The Story of the first two Generations

Margaret Healy 1887-1980

Margaret Healy was born on 30 June 1887 in Kyeburn, Central Otago. Her mother was Margaret Healy was aged 31 from Ireland, and her father Thomas was aged 40.

Margaret Sharp

Margaret was enrolled at Kyeburn School on 1 October 1894.

Margaret married John Bentley Sharp on 1 January 1913 in Dunedin, however no wedding notice or photo has been found.

Margaret was a painter, mainly using watercolours. She was inspired to paint scenes around her home when she was relaxed, and two paintings are of the Nelson area. She also painted the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

She worked in the Hyde Hotel in Alexandra, Green Island and the Royal Hotel in Nelson.

She used to create bark pictures of Central Otago scenes, crochet and embroidery, and sent them to her grandchildren as Christmas presents in her later years.

Margaret and John had 7 children, 1 of whom are still alive:

Name Born Died
Eileen 4 July 1913 16 January 2010
Joan 1 December 1914 29 April 1975
Doreen 29 August 1916 24 September 1998
Denis John Thomas 30 August 1918 6 February 2004
John Ross (Twin) 2 December 1926 11 June 2010
Desmond Dynes (Twin) 2 December 1926 6 January 2012
Norwood (Norrie) 29 June 1931 .

Unfortunately the marriage split up in 1949, though they remained in touch.

Headstone - Margaret Sharp

Margaret (Grandma Sharp as she was affectionately known to her family) died on 28 September 1980 aged 93 years. She was the last of her generation to pass away. At the time she was a resident of the Methodist Home in Company Bay, Dunedin. She is buried at Andersons Bay Cemetery, Block 251, Plot 49 with her husband.

The headstone inscription reads:

In Loving memory of John Bently Sharp, died 26th June 1964, aged 78 years, and his beloved wife Margaret, died 28 September 1980, aged 93 years.

Margaret's direct descendants number around 90.