Sharyn Rae Donald

January 28th, 1944 – December 31st, 2020

Sharyn Rae Donald, age 76, passed away in hospice care in the early morning of December 31st, 2020 after a short battle with lung cancer. Sharyn was born to parents Edward and Ellen Rae Hummer on January 28th, 1944 in Defiance, Ohio, where she lived for 18 years before the family moved out to Colorado in 1962.

She is predeceased by her parents, husband James Wallace Donald and her younger brother Edward Joseph Hummer. She is survived by her niece, Jamie Hummer, sister-in-law Kristine Hummer, and other extended family and friends.

While working at an insurance agency in Boulder, Sharyn was set up with her husband Wally through a blind date. It was love at first sight, and they married soon after. They lived in Boulder for several years, and in the early 70’s bought their lifetime home on Riverside Drive outside of Lyons where they lived next to her bother Ed, and his family for decades. They loved camping in their RV, enjoying operas like Iolanthe and The Marriage of Figaro, and spending time with their friends from the University where Wally was a professor.

Sharyn was active in the Guild in Allenspark, and had an initial role in starting the Allenspark Wind Newspaper, in addition to volunteering for Meals on Wheels for seniors living in the mountains.

Sharyn was extremely talented. Those close to her witnessed her extraordinary skills of sewing, crafting and cooking. She made the best Mexican flan dessert that anyone has ever had; and created the most immaculate, lavish costumes and outfits for her niece. Miniatures were a particular passion of hers, and she enjoyed attending trade shows and tours of Victorian houses.

In addition to her gifts, she had a passion for dogs. She and her husband worked with a local rescue for Italian Greyhounds and took in many dogs over the years. Notably, Brynn, a sweet Italian Greyhound that went on many adventures with them, and Rudy, who was known to have a taste for Bailey’s Irish Cream. Sharyn is survived by her dogs Lady and Snickelfritz and have been adopted into wonderful new families who love them.

Due to safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, arrangements are on hold until a time when Sharyn’s loved ones can gather safely to remember her. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation, at this link. http://www.iggyrescue.com