Honorary Colonel (HCol) Gaetz was born in North Vancouver, BC. As a small child, she and her family moved to Chilliwack where she has invested her life. As a young woman, Sharon learned the value of making change through political processes and was elected to the school board. She was involved in many volunteer activities and was appointed as the Director of Protocol for the 1993 BC Summer Games. In spite of living in Chilliwack all of her life, this was her introduction to working with the Commanding Officer of 39 Combat Engineer Regiment and her respect for all that the military accomplished in her city and in our country grew. She was elected as a councillor to Chilliwack City Council and in 2008 was elected as the first female mayor in Chilliwack's 100 year history. Sharon's 22 years on council led her to many leadership positions in the province of British Columbia. Sharon is a strong advocate for local government. She worked on the executive of the Union of BC municipalities and is sought out for her years of wisdom and accumulated knowledge. An experienced traveler, Sharon has been a mentor to many on her journey. She and her husband Jim continue to make Chilliwack their home. They have one son and two grandchildren.