Sharon Marie Finch

Sharon Marie Petersen Finch, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away on April 13, 2023, at 82, in her home in Cumming, Georgia, surrounded by her loving husband & son. She is survived by her husband, William (Bill) P. Finch, their son Stephen (Steve) A. Finch, and Stephen’s former wife, Andrea Sanders Finch, and two granddaughters, Courtney Ann Finch of Tampa, Florida, and Catherine Lynn Finch of Orlando, Florida. Sharon was married for over 58 years to Bill, a retired aerospace engineer and residential real estate broker. Sharon was preceded in death by her mother, Edna Mae Cable Petersen, and father, Russel Robert Petersen, Senior of Santa Anna, California, and brother Russel Robert Petersen Junior of Cerritos, California. Sharon was born in Santa Anna, California, graduating from Santa Ana high school as a classmate of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield of the "Righteous Brothers." Later, Sharon attended Fullerton Junior College, which helped her start her professional journey as a secretary at Autonetics. There, she met the love of her life, Bill Finch, an aerospace engineer. After dating for a year and a half, Bill proposed, and they were married at Lindenwood Christian Church in Memphis.

For the next 20 years, Sharon and Bill moved back and forth across the country five times due to Bill's employment as an aerospace engineer. They finally settled in Atlanta, where they spent the rest of their lives together. Sharon was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta for 28 years, where they both attended church until she could not attend anymore. She also volunteered at the Perimeter Church while living in Dunwoody, Georgia.

Sharon's employment included secretary work, proofreading, F-111 fighter jet parts administration, and, most importantly, being a stay-at-home mom. Sharon was a woman of many talents and interests and a gifted artist who loved to paint with oils and ceramics. She enjoyed traveling with Bill and had many wonderful trips across the US, Canada, and Europe, including a train trip across Canada from Banff to Vancouver, a trip to London, and a van trip from Toronto through Maine to Bar Harbor, along with several cruises to Mexico and the Caribbean. Sharon also enjoyed camping, progressing to Class A motorhome, including trips across the US and Canada

Sharon was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia in 2011, followed by Lewy Body Dementia diagosis. With her husband, Bill, as her devoted full-time caregiver, Sharon spent almost six years under hospice care at home, becoming one of the most extended hospice care patients with Pruitt Hospice. Sharon's love for the Lord was evident in her kindness, gentleness, generosity, and forgiveness toward others. Her family and friends will always remember her with love and admiration.

Sharon will be deeply missed by her husband, Bill; their son, Stephen; Steve’s former wife, Andrea Sanders Finch; granddaughters, Courtney Ann and Catherine Lynn; and many other family members and friends. Her legacy will live on through the memories of those whose lives she touched.

Instead of flowers, contributions can be made in Sharon's name (Sharon Marie Petersen Finch) to the Alzheimer's Association: www.alz.org

If you are unable to attend the service, the celebration will be live streamed. Simply follow the link provided. https://vimeo.com/819589737