Sharon Elizabeth Basile

Born in Southwick, Massachusetts, on July 15, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Sarah (Axton) Hepburn, and sister to Richard, Edward, Fred, Eleanor, Sally and Marilyn.

Sharon was the cherished wife of the late Donald Basile, with whom she shared a life grounded in love, resilience, and devotion. Together, they built a family and a legacy defined by kindness and quiet strength. They met when Sharon was 12 years old, a young girl Don playfully threw off a raft at the beach of his Uncle Gino’s “Brass Rail” restaurant in Southwick. Nine years later, they married in Southwick on July 27, 1967. Over the next 52 years they went on to build a family with three boys and three grandchildren, countless friends, and a life together filled with meaning, purpose, and happiness.

Sharon was a member of Southwick High School’s first graduating class and graced the town she grew up in as Miss Southwick before pursuing a nursing degree from Elon College and later Reading Area Community College, where she received top honors.

A lifelong caregiver at heart, Sharon pursued her calling in nursing with unwavering commitment working at the Pottstown Hospital. She later managed the Pottstown Scanning and Treatment Center and served as an oncology nurse for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network where her skill was matched only by her deep empathy. Sharon brought comfort and dignity to patients and families during some of their most difficult moments, offering not just medical care but genuine human connection.

As a mother, Sharon wrestled three boys into young men with love, patience, and a healthy sense of humor. Her sons challenged her nursing skills in ways she had not contemplated when in school. Her unconditional love, courage, determination, nurturing nature, and generosity to others set the bar for the type of woman each would marry and the children they would raise. As a grandmother, Sharon cherished her three grandchildren, surrounding them with endless affection, adoration, and love, and took immense pride in their lives and accomplishments.

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Beyond her professional life, Sharon gave generously of time to her community. As a founding member and Special Ceremonies Chair, she was instrumental in developing the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Pottstown into a million-dollar Relay, the fifth largest in the world and one of the most successful Relays in the country for 10 years.

She volunteered at the Pottstown YWCA, serving as Vice President of the Board of Directors advocating for women on a national platform, but more importantly, on a local level in Pottstown where her warmth and generosity touched countless lives. Whether offering support, lending a listening ear, or simply showing up when needed, Sharon made a lasting difference.

As a lifetime member of the Skyline Drive Corvette Club of Reading, Pennsylvania, for 27 years, Sharon and Don enjoyed traveling with their fellow corvette friends to all 49 continental states as well as the Canadian provinces. After obtaining her Captain’s license, she pursued her passion for sailing, piloting her 47’ “Andiamo” while commandeering Don and friends as ship hands throughout the Chesapeake Bay and along the shores of the East Coast. Never one to pass up an opportunity to help others, and support women in particular, Sharon taught other women to sail when at her second home on the Sassafras River in Kentmore Park, Maryland.

Sharon’s happy places were: “The Farm” where she made a home with Don and her children for 57 years; the Maryland House, the cottage on the Sassafras River where she and Don hosted friends and family and enjoyed adventures in sailing and infamous “tubing;” and traveling the world be it sailing the Caribbean Isles, touring Europe, Asia, and Africa, or cruising Route 66 with the Corvette top down. Wherever she could be with friends and family, share a smile, and give of herself to others, Sharon found happiness.

Sharon will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her strength and courage in the face of great adversity, and her dedication to helping others. She was fiercely loyal and dedicated to her friends and family, providing them with love and support. She leaves behind family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to know her, each carrying forward the impact of her compassion and care. Her memory will live on in the lives she touched and the love she gave so freely.

Sharon is survived by her children; Michael Basile, husband of Stacy, Andrew Basile, husband of Jennifer, and Kevin Basile, husband of Lynn. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Isabella, Anthony, and Fiona. In addition, Sharon is also survived by her sisters Sally Barnett and Marilyn Hepburn, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Sharon's life at Brookside Country Club on Saturday, June 27, beginning at 11:30 am. If you would like to share a special memory of Sharon, our family and friends would welcome to hear your kind words, thoughts, and share Sharon’s story.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Fox Chase Cancer Center, Office of Institutional Advancement, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111 or call the Fox Chase Gift Line at 215-728-2547.

Linwood W. Ott Funeral Home, Inc., has been entrusted with arrangements.