Sharon L Brayer

Sharon L. Brayer

November 27, 1954 – July 18, 2015

BORN to a different family, CLAIMED and raised by a loving couple who wanted my brother and me, DIED after fighting cancer for eight years. The journey has been difficult and has finally gotten the best of me. I have packed my bags and left my Earthly family, friends, and home and hitched a ride to the Pearly Gates with the hopes that I am worthy enough to gain entrance.

I was born November 27, 1954 in Springfield, IL but grew up in Granite City, IL with the love and enjoyment of family and friends. I attended Granite City Senior High School and was active in many clubs. The most trouble I had was being a little too social … I drove my teachers crazy. Imagine that!!!! After graduation I worked in the Cardiology/Pulmonary Dept. of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and attended Belleville Area College for Respiratory Therapy.

I married Mark Brayer, the love of my life, on October 30, 1982. I always thought I’d marry a man in uniform. Little did I know it would be a Boy Scout uniform and that the Boy Scouts would be our way of life. We lived in Collinsville, IL, just up the hill from the Heinz Catsup water tower. It was a great landmark. Soon, we transferred to Warrensburg, MO where I worked at Western MO Medical Center and where our sons Christopher and David were born.

Three years later we moved to Independence, MO and life shifted into high gear. I became a stay-at-home Mom and the kids were the center of my attention. We enjoyed picnics, went on treasure hunts (garage sales) and got involved with kids sports and other play activities.

Sycamore Hills PTA played a big part in my future for years when the boys started school. I worked on many committees and eventually served as its president. My favorite committees were Yearbook and anything that promoted reading. I eventually was asked to work as an aide and, after some additional schooling, became the Behavioral Interventionist in the Recovery Room. I loved the kids, the job, my co-workers, and my bosses.

It was a job where I could connect with kids and their problems in a safe and educational surrounding. The kids kept me young at heart, especially during bus and lunch duty. It was the worst day of my life when I had to admit to myself that I could no longer do the job and had to retire. The only thing that gave me any consolation was that I could still go there to read to the kids but then finally lost that ability.

I was active at St. Mark’s Catholic Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister, a Reader, and as a member of the Prayer and Worship Commission. I also loved my time with the ladies in my Bible Study Group.

I was so glad to see daughter in laws Kimberly Putnam and Katie Keating join our family and later, granddaughter, Emma Kelly…..finally I had the girls I had always wanted. I am so proud of Chris and David and the women they chose to marry. I am comforted knowing that you have each other to lean on for strength, love, and happiness.

Those that left before I did: Dad – Joseph Patrick Busch, Grandparents: William Patterson Atkinson and Agnes (Hein) Atkinson; Joseph Peter Busch and Mary Alice (Keating Busch) Beise, and many Aunts, Uncles and cousins.

Left behind to continue the party are my husband, Mark Jean Brayer; son, Christopher Marc Brayer (Kimberly) and granddaughter, Emma; son, David Patrick Brayer (Katie); my mother, Catherine Atkinson Busch; brothers and sisters: Mike (Jeri) Busch, John (Tanya) Busch, Anita Busch, Tom Busch, Carole (Paul) Suzuki, and so many nieces and nephews who I love including Sean, Matthew, Wesley, Miles, Molly, Quinn, Anna Busch and Cory, Katie and Nikki Suzuki and so many friends who are like family.

The Celebration of my life will be held at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 3736 Lee Summit Rd. Independence, MO with a Mass, on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at 11:00 followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make donations to benefit children through the Sycamore Hills Elementary Benevolent Program & make checks out to Sycamore Hills PTA. Donations may also be made to St. Mark’s Catholic Church Youth Group.

Thanks to all those who have traveled this journey with me. I could not have done it without your love, prayers, and support. This is not ‘Good-bye”, it’s just until we meet again. Love you all to the moon and back.