Sharyn E. O'Toole

Sharyn O’Toole, wife, mother, historian and rudder of the O’Toole family ship succumbed to cancer on September 23, 2012, after engaging this invidious disease since late 2009. Sharyn, who died at home surrounded by family at age 65, was born in the Florida Panhandle on March 17, 1947, and came to Colorado in the 1970s after finishing nursing school. She received her certification as a nurse anesthetist (CNA) from the University of Alabama and worked in this field for over 25 years. Thereafter, she managed the law firm of O’Toole & Sbarbaro, during which time she earned an additional bachelor’s degree in the field of Western History from Metro State and a master’s degree in Military History from Norwich University, Vermont. Her loving heart and sense of equity imparted grace and peace to all those she encountered. However, some felt entitled to ignore her good will and cavalierly dismiss it. Such a rebuke of her efforts was met with a knowing, icy, stare, coupled with an insightful verbal hammer.

Both as a nurse anesthetist and as an office manager her abilities were unparalleled. As a military historian her insights led her to honor her Native American sisters and brothers who played a central role in developing the West as we know it. As a descendent of members of the Chocktaw Tribe she held close to her roots and was fiercely proud of how the Choctaws had retained their cultural identity despite overwhelmingly adverse forces. Although she was tolerant of others, this tolerance did not extend to those who seek to impede women’s rights or who would subjugate others because of a social, racial, or cultural difference.

Sharyn is survived by her husband Neil, her children Shauna, Melanie (and husband Raphael), Thomas Devin, Kathryn (and her husband Ryan), Neil Patrick, and Matthew (and wife Stephanie), grandchildren Phoebe Davis and Jaxon O’Toole, as well as her parents Lowery and Evelyn Brown, her sister Donna Daniels and her brother Lowery “Buddy” Brown.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2012, 10:00am, in the Pavilion of Reflections located on the grounds of Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, 7777 W. 29th Ave., Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers please consider contributions to C.A.R.E. (“Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere”), P.O. Box 7039, Merrifield, VA 22116-9753.