Barbara Nelson Sharp

Barbara was born March 14, 1940 to the proud parents of Stanley Call Nelson and Bonnie Sarah Dame Nelson in Salt Lake City Utah. She grew up with her sister, Bonnie Jo and twin brother Robert, spending summers by their pool and skiing in the winter. After graduating from Olympus High School, she continued her education at the University of Utah where she became a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She majored in elementary education with honors while growing her love of dance. When not studying or dancing, she filled her free time as Vice-President of her senior class, a member of the University Senate, an Army ROTC Sponsor for two years, was chosen as Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity’s Dream Girl, a Panhellenic delegate for a year and a half, and as committee members of Greek Week and Homecoming, to name a few.

She began her teaching career at Grant Elementary School in Salt Lake City in 1962 where she taught 5th grade. That year while on summer break she attended a workshop in modern dance with Alwin Nickolais at the University of Utah where he and Murray Lewis recognized her genius in dance choreography. For the next couple of years, she worked on her master’s degree in dance which sparked her true love of performing in musicals and dance. She performed in many productions at the University of Utah, then moved on to professional musical theater where she performed in BRIGADOON with Jack Cassidy, CAROUSEL with Hugh O’Brien, KISS ME KATE, SOUND of MUSIC, CAMELOT, and DAMN YANKEES. It would be remiss not to mention ballet with Mr. C. This love of dance inspired her next big move… HOLLYWOOD here she comes! It was there where she was offered her first opportunity to perform in the Bob Hope’s Christmas Special. She also performed in SOUTH PACIFIC and GUYS and DOLLS on the LA stage. It was here that Barbara bonded with her friend Shannon Williams from college, becoming more than friends, they were lifelong sisters.

It was Shannon’s husband who introduced Barbara to her first husband, Ron Waranch, who were later married in Hawaii where Harry Newhart gave her away with her father’s blessing, gifting her with her first loving stepchildren, Rhonda, Sally, Becky, and Paul. It was during this part of her life that she experienced travel, adventure, friendship, and so many fond memories, one of which was being on the NEWLYWED GAME SHOW. They later moved to Hawaii where she cultivated lifelong friendships while teaching local children and developing a true love for Hawaiian culture and the ocean. After many wonderful years of marriage with Ron, they went their separate ways, but a piece of all of them will always be with her.

Barbara moved back to Los Angeles where she met her second husband Thomas Adams with whom she had two boys, Stanley and Andrew. It was in December of 1972 when Stan was born, and at that moment of becoming a mother, she knew her life had changed. She lived for the happiness of her son, Stan and for the next five years spent their lives having adventures and making memories. In October of 1977, her son Andrew was born, and her love of life and motherhood had doubled. A few years later, Barbara and Tom divorced, so the three musketeers started off on their own adventure around the Pacific Northwest, soon after, deciding it was time for her boys to see where she grew up. They were off to Utah!

Once back in Utah with her two boys, there were a lot of big changes, one being Barbara’s dear friend John Evans who introduced her to Robert Sharp, who later became her future husband and lifelong friend. Barbara and Rob were married in November of 1986. It was at this time that Stan and Andrew gained new siblings: Andrea, Mary, and Chuck. Barbara and Rob shared many interests together, especially that of nature, whether it was hiking, spending time at Rob‘s family cabin at Thousand Peak’s Ranch, or spending the day gardening, which later led to Barbara and Rob winning the Utah Urban Beautification Award for gardening. Barbara began to teach full-time at Wasatch Elementary in 1987. She always felt that teaching was her true calling. This gave her the joy of making new friends and students who became more like family over the years. Combining her love of teaching with her love of gardening, she and her students would create bags of potpourri, creams, and body lotions to be sold once per year, donating all the proceeds to charity.

As time passed, Barbara’s youngest son Andrew was married, giving Barbara a daughter-in-law that could not be matched in any way as far as she was concerned. If you ask Stan and Andrew, Heather is definitely her favorite child. Barbara soon received what she considered to be the greatest blessing, her two grandchildren Kelton and Aria. The time she spent with them creating art, playing games, and finding out their thoughts were some of her greatest joys and memories in life. Nothing meant more to Barbara than her family. Barbara lived every moment with love and kindness. Every day was a gift, and every outing was an adventure. It didn’t matter if she was traveling with family, friends, or shopping with the girls, she cherished every moment, every time. Every walk with Stan, every talk with Andrew, and every outing with Heather and the kids was cherished. She had a way of making sure you felt loved and appreciated in every way.

Barbara had an undying love for her Heavenly Father and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For those who knew her, she lived a life of grace and honor. Barbara was a true adventurer, creator, performer, teacher, artist, antique collector, and gardener. But, above of all she was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, grandmother, and truly amazing mother. She was a true pioneer of life and lived it to its fullest in every way possible.

Survived by children Stanley and Andrew Adams, daughter-in-law Heather Adams, grandchildren Kelton and Aria Adams.

Proceeded in death by father Stanley Call Nelson, mother Bonnie Sarah Dame Nelson, brother Stanley Call Jr., sister Bonnie Jo Merrill, and twin brother Robert Nelson.