Sharon V. Wiltse

Sharon was born on May 25, 1938 in Iron Mountain, Michigan, where she spent her childhood before moving with her family (during high school) to Hamburg, New York. She graduated from Hamburg High School and studied briefly at Greenbrier College in West Virginia before marrying Peter Wiltse with whom she had three daughters. She eventually relocated to Sarasota, Florida, where she worked in banking. After many years in Sarasota, she decided to join two of her daughters in southern California. In 1990, after having developed viral cardiomyopathy, Sharon underwent a heart transplant and became the 76th transplant recipient at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego.

Sharon was blessed with the gift of life for another 30 plus years and lived her life to the fullest. She enjoyed traveling, shell collecting, bowling, bird watching and gardening. She was a free spirit and had a wonderful sense of humor. She was always up for a good practical joke. She once convinced her oldest daughter and grandson that she had won the lottery and was found packing her bags for a trip around the world! Sharon was happiest when spending time with her family and more recently her companion dog “Sami”.

Sharon was predeceased by parents Fred and Irene VanSickle, brother Jack VanSickle (WWII MIA), and sister Elizabeth “Bette” Norton. She is survived by her daughters Dr. Lise Wiltse MD, Wende (Mark) Carleson, Heather (Joseph) Russo, grandchildren Justin Wiltse, Jack Carleson, Sophia, Dominic and Isabella Russo, and great granddaughter Kaitlin Wiltse.

A private celebration of life ceremony will be held next summer at Sharon’s final resting place in Iron Mountain, MI.

In memory of Sharon please consider becoming an organ donor by visiting:

www.organdonor.gov