Sharon Lee Watanabe

Sharon Lee Watanabe (née Wackford) was born at Sutter Hospital in Sacramento, California on November 20, 1940, and passed away on November 5, 2020, just 5 days shy of her 80th birthday. Sharon was a 4th generation Sacramentan, something of which she was very proud. Sharon graduated from Sacramento High School, where she was active in various sports. Sharon began working for the State of California in 1959 and continued working until 2000, when she retired from CalTrans as an IT Analyst.

Sharon was an active member of Menzaleh Temple Daughters of the Nile, an organization related to the Masons and Shriners. Members contribute to, and volunteer at, Shriners Hospitals. Sharon was initiated in February 1966, was crowned queen in 1989, and held many other positions during her active Menzaleh years. In addition, Sharon was very active with Robert during his Masonic career and enjoyed travelling the globe with him. She also enjoyed spending time in Hawaii and while at home in Sacramento, tending to her flowers and trees.

Sharon passed away peacefully after a three year battle with Alzheimer's disease. Sharon is survived by her husband of 46 years, Robert, and step-children Steven (Alycia) Watanabe and Liane (Patrick) Rhodes, and 6 grandchildren - Steven and Brandon Morgan, and Matthew, Sarah, Kylie, and Paige Watanabe.

Private family burial at the Masonic Lawn Cemetery in Sacramento, California