Sharon Jane Tollett O'Malley

Sharon Jane Tollett O’Malley, 58, passed away August 31, 2013 to take her gifts to a higher calling, after a brief but valiant battle against multiple medical issues. She leaves behind two incredible daughters, Kathleen, 31; and Caitlin, 25. She and her husband Mike celebrated 36 years together the week before her death.

Sharon grew up in the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee, daughter to Geraldine and Ralph Tollett of Crossville; and sister of Jamie (Tollett) Estes. Her career as a public health nurse began in the hills of eastern Kentucky, while she completed her Bachelors of Nursing at Berea College. Upon graduation, she joined the Tennessee Department of Public Health, and quickly rose to a regional administrator position.

In 1983, Sharon followed Mike’s career and moved to the wilds of western Washington with their two year old daughter. She began her local career with the Washington Department of Health, eventually landing in her favorite role as civilian director of Medical Management in the Managed Care Division at Madigan Army Medical Center, serving over one million outpatients per year. She cherished her role as advocate for our active duty military and their families as she strove to assure they received the best care available to them.

Her many passions included cooking for her family, spending time with her daughters, and bartending at the Black Hills Audubon Society annual banquet. She loved everyone deeply including her extended family, in-laws, cousins, friends, and pets.

A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held Saturday, September 14 at 11:00 a.m. at Mills and Mills Funeral Home in Tumwater.