Half Full: The optimistic & fulfilled life of Sharon Stahls

Sharon Stahls lives according to a simple but demanding philosophy. Choose optimism, no matter the circumstances. For Stahls, every person she meets presents an opportunity to act, give or lead with positivity based on the belief that working together with goodwill benefits everyone.

This enthusiasm is not the result of an easy history. It emerged through hardship, loss, and the steady influence of people who stepped in when Stahls needed them most.

Growing up in Huntsville, Stahls was the third youngest of seven children in a family familiar with both love and struggle. At nine years old, just days before Christmas, Stahls watched smoke rise across Hunters Bay from the yard at Pine Glen Public School. The smoke was her family home burning down. The blaze destroyed everything, including a treasured pair of figure skates she had just received.

When the Salvation Army arrived with a bag of toys for Christmas, their act of kindness left a lasting impression.

“We had a wood-burning stove, and there was an explosion in the middle of the stove pipe,” she recalls. “My Dad went outside just before the front window blew out. When the Salvation Army came, we didn’t belong to their church, but they helped us. After that, I decided if I was in a position to help someone, I would.”

Loss came again in 1976 when her mother died of cancer at just 49 years old. Stahls was in high school. At a time when cancer was rarely discussed and seen as a death sentence, the experience shaped Stahl’s understanding of resilience and empathy.  

Mentors and teachers Peter and Lynda Jacob welcomed the 18-year-old into their home and helped guide her to earn a degree in physical education at McMaster University. She returned to teach in Huntsville, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Dwight and Raymond. 

Stahl soon realized students needed teachers to understand them as well as instruct them.

“When I was a principal, I’d tell my staff every kid needs a champion,” says Stahls, who retired a decade ago after a successful career as a teacher and principal in Muskoka. “At Watt Public School in Raymond, I received an anonymous letter. Inside was $25. It said I’m so sorry I trashed your office.  I want to give this to say I’m sorry. I asked Brent Cooper at the Forester to write a story so the boy knew I forwarded the money to a student who needed help for the Grade 8 trip. There are always mitigating circumstances. Maybe his parents had a fight, or something happened on the way to school.”  

Though Stahls acknowledges her mother’s illness was partly responsible for her interest in the annual Terry Fox Run, it was the qualities displayed by Fox that inspired her. Stahls is the organizer for the Huntsville run. The 2026 Terry Fox Run is on Sunday, September 20.

“When I started teaching, Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope was an easy way to teach kids about commitment, perseverance, endurance and empathy,” she explains. “When Terry finished his treatments, he said he couldn’t just leave kids still having treatment behind and forget them. That’s why he started the run. He had to do something. He was such a special guy.”  

Stahls has dedicated herself to keeping the event alive and meaningful in her community. The 45^th annual run last year brought in $63,000 in donations with just over 100 participants. In the early years, hundreds gathered at Huntsville High School. While participation numbers have shifted in favour of online donations through the Huntsville Terry Fox link, Stahls’ commitment is solid. She formed a group of local “Kilometre Patrons,” placing their business and organization names along the route.

“I give credit to the past run organizers, including the late Doug Stone, the first organizer and Huntsville High School principal,” says Stahls. “I always helped with the run and have a collection of Terry Fox T-shirts. I always had to buy shirts for my dog Hudson, my daughter Madison and me. Madison, an ICU nurse, and her partner, Liam, come from Barrie to help with the run.” 

Her love for sports has always paralleled Stahl’s work as an educator. A lifelong athlete who skates, skis, golfs, and kayaks, she sees sport as something that brings people together for a common cause regardless of ability or role.  

“You can be an athlete, spectator, coach or equipment manager,” she explains. “I love it and loved teaching and being a principal. Make sure you do something you really love because you’ll do it a long time. To be a good teacher, you need your A-game every day. The person in charge sets the tone for the day.”

Now retired, Stahls is busier than ever with volunteering, organizing and staying active. Her new love is playing ukulele in Gravenhurst with 63 other players in the Highway 11 Corridor Ukulele Players group. Starting in May, you can hear them at Muskoka Wharf on Mondays. She serves as a safety kayaker for local triathlons and continues to support community initiatives. 

Stahls’ 2026 nomination for a Woman of Distinction award recognizes what her community knows. She leads with heart, energy, and purpose, seeking the good and building on it.

“We’ve got to take care of each other,” says Stahl.

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