Sharon Ann McGough

Sharon Ann Thompson McGough, beloved sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother of Dallas, Texas, passed away on December 23, 2025, at the age of 81, following a valiant fight with lung cancer.

She was born on January 24, 1944, in Mobile, AL, and grew up in Monroe, LA, where she met and married the love of her life, James Ivvin, on September 7, 1963. During James’s service in the U.S. Army, the couple lived at Ft. Bliss, TX; Ft. Rucker, AL; and Ft. Meade, MD, before moving to New York and then Houston, Texas, eventually settling in Dallas in 1972.

Sharon taught fifth grade and volunteered with the Red Cross before dedicating herself to raising their six children. She often reminded them, “Each one is different from all the rest, but each one in their own way is surely the best.” Her nurturing spirit extended far beyond her home. Whether serving as a Girl Scout leader, a Room Mother, or counseling engaged couples at St. Bernard’s, she helped others grow, flourish, and feel supported.

Sharon had an extraordinary ability to recognize when someone needed care, and she responded with quiet compassion—offering a comforting conversation, a homemade meal, or financial help when times were hard. Her generosity reached friends, neighbors, and anyone she knew in need.

A woman of deep Catholic faith, Sharon had a lifelong devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She lived her faith in the way she welcomed others with warmth and sincerity. At church and community gatherings, she was often the last to leave—lingering to encourage someone, share a story, or simply make sure no one felt unseen or unheard. Her gentle presence was a blessing to all who knew her.

After James developed the first polling software, Sharon encouraged him to found JSM Information Systems, where she worked alongside him every day from their home. They traveled throughout the country and abroad for the business—James writing the software for restaurant clients and Sharon training employees and managing day to day operations. Whether at work or at play, they were seldom apart.

Sharon loved gathering annually with her family at the beach, sharing family recipes, visiting the Dallas Arboretum, attending Broadway shows and the arts, spending time with friends, and living out her faith. Most of all, she cherished traveling to see her children and grandchildren—attending Irish step competitions, basketball, football, and volleyball games, dance recitals, theatrical productions, singing performances, and family celebrations.

Sharon and her family are grateful for all of her loving caregivers, including her oncologist, Dr. Ronald Kerr, and Barbara with Texas Oncology and all the staff of CC Young.

Sharon was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Zurhellen, and by her husband, James, in 2023.

She is survived by her sister, Nancy (John) Owens of Texas; and her five children: Catherine (Robert) Kossler, Jim K. (Rachel) McGough, Lenna (Derek) Coffman, Bill (Pepper) McGough, and Ed (Brooke) McGough.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Emily (Spencer) Stucky, Clare (Stephen) Scobee, Ashley (Collin) Smith, Zachary Coffman, Mary (Griffin) Hackeloer, Noah Coffman, William McGough, Joshua Coffman, Reace Ann Coffman, Jordan McGough, John Paul Coffman, Elijah McGough, Juliet McGough, and Pippa McGough; and by her great grandchildren: Ann Marie Smith, James Scobee, Beckam Stucky, and Lucy Smith.

Visitation will occur on Sunday, January 4 from 3-5 pm at Grove Hill Funeral Home at 3920 Samuell Blvd, Dallas, TX 75228 concluding with a Rosary. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, January 5, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church