Sharon Marie Riis

Born Sharon Marie Mathis on October 31, 1938 in Monte Vista, Colorado, Sharon was the youngest of two daughters to Buell “Pete” and Ethel Mathis (Leonard). Sharon was preceded in death by her older sister, Shirley Boysen.

After leaving Colorado, where Sharon’s father was a Fox Farmer, the family moved to Highland Park, California, which is where she first noticed the love of her life, Paul Riis, who attended the same jr. high school. During their senior year of high school, Sharon and Paul started dating and soon became high school sweethearts and on August 18, 2019, they celebrated 62 years of marriage.

Sharon’s work history included working at the FBI for several years and then at Bank of America, where she retired after 29 years. Not ready to fully retire, Sharon earned her Real Estate License and worked as a Realtor for 8 years in Mission Viejo, until her passion for helping others ended her working career and she began volunteering her time at Mission Community Hospital in the emergency room.

Sharon loved and cherished every moment as a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She is survived by her husband, Paul, son, Steve Riis of Aliso Viejo, CA, daughter, Debi (Riis) Brown and son-in-law, Stephen Brown of Eastvale, CA, granddaughter, Amanda Vander Veen (Jason), granddaughter, Sarah Castellano, grandson, Joshua Castellano, granddaughter, Hailey Riis and great grandsons Jace Vander Veen (age 4) and Jett Vander Veen (age 3).

Funeral Services will be held on December 6, 2019 at Fairhaven Memorial Services in Mission Viejo at noon, immediately followed by a reception at the family home.