Sharon Willis Fijalka

Sharon (Marie) Willis FIJALKA, 68, of Alexandria VA passed peacefully at the Mount Vernon Sunrise Assisted Living Remembrance unit and crossed the bar on February 26th, 2026. Born February 19th, 1958 in Newburyport, MA, Sharon dedicated her life to Service in the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Defense, and her Community as an Adult Scout Leader.

Sharon was born and raised in Newburyport Massachusetts, the birthplace of the U.S. Coast Guard. She graduated from Newburyport High School where she participated on the Girl’s Softball Team and the Drill Team, and a member of the National Honor Society.

Sharon served proudly in the United States Coast Guard for over 30 years from June 1976 to June 2007. She received an appointment to the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1976, entering the Academy as a member of the first class to graduate women from a United States Military Academy. While a cadet, Sharon joined the men’s bowling team and became the Eastern Regional women’s collegiate bowling champion in the spring of 1980. She was also a member of the inaugural women’s softball team and the Cadet Band Flag Corps performing at many football games and a special performance at the 1976 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Sharon sailed on the Coast Guard’s Tall Ship Barque Eagle every summer of her cadet career.

Sharon married her classmate, Michael Fijalka, three days after graduation and together they headed north for shipboard assignments in Massachusetts. Sharon was a deck watch officer in CGC Chase. She was a qualified law-enforcement boarding officer and conducted the first successful Haitian interdiction and repatriation of migrants to Port-au-Prince. Next, she was part of the commissioning crew and a plank owner for the new CGC Bear, first of the Coast Guard’s 270 foot Class Cutters

She was selected to attend law school at the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary from 1986-89. Upon graduation, she passed the bar and served in several staff attorney positions until 1991 when she returned to sea duty as the Operations Officer on CGC Gallatin earning herself a permanent Cutterman Pin.

Following tours in Coast Guard recruiting and as chief of legal policy and program development, Sharon was assigned as the Chief Trial Judge of the U.S. Coast Guard for Courts Martial. She was also a guest lecturer at the Army Judge Advocate Generals Training Center.

Sharon retired in 2007 as Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Hearing Office in the rank of Captain. Her awards include Meritorious Service Medals, Commendation and Achievement medals, numerous unit Commendations and Service awards. In her second career, Sharon worked for the Department of Defense as a legal advisor to the Convening Authority for Military Commissions. She left a lasting impact on those she served and worked alongside.

Sharon was also an avid Scouter with the Boy Scouts of America serving as her son Michael’s den leader, then as a committee member for Troop 1509 (Alexandria, VA), a District Committee member for Colonial District in the NCAC, a member of The Order of the Arrow (Vigil Honor), and completed Wood Badge in 2001.

Most of all, Sharon enjoyed all things Disney with her family, including trips to Disney World, Disney cruises (32), and especially collecting Disney pins. Sharon was an accomplished needle-pointer, having created numerous products including counted cross stitch Coast Guard lighthouse ornaments, samplers, and pictures. Sharon also enjoyed folk music including the folk band Dramtreeo and all things Jimmy Buffet.

Sharon is survived by her beloved husband of 45 years, Michael Fijalka; her sisters Debra Willis and Linda Willis of Amesbury MA. She is predeceased by her son, Michael Meade Fijalka, who passed away at age 25 after nearly a lifetime battling many cancer diagnoses; her parents Richard Willis and Grace (Langdo) Willis; and her brother Roy Willis. Her legacy of service, love, and dedication will forever be cherished by her family and friends.

A funeral service to honor Sharon’s life and service will be held at 11:00 on Friday, March 27, 2026 at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington Street, Alexandria VA. Military honors will be rendered at the graveside at Mount Comfort Cemetery at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Fifty Year’s of Women at USCGA Fund in Sharon’s memory, to support The Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association’s celebrations and efforts commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Women entering the Academy.

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