Sharon Habbeshaw Mash

Sharon Habbeshaw Mash was a devoted wife and mother, a visionary entrepreneur, Master Gardener and athlete. She was born on May 14, 1937 in Salt Lake City, Utah, daughter of Carol (Cheney) and Russell Habbeshaw. She was the oldest of four children, with sisters Neta and Susan, and brother Kindon. Sharon attended South High School and the University of Utah.

Sharon married the love of her life, John, and they shared 59 beautiful years together. She met John during sixth grade and knew at that time she was going to marry him. Their lives went different directions for many years, but they reconnected after college and were married September 19, 1961. They moved to Fort Hood, Texas when John was called into Army active duty. Following his service, Sharon and John returned to Utah and later moved to Lakewood, Colorado; Bothell, Washington; and Costa Mesa, California before returning to Colorado and finding their permanent home in Denver. They were blessed with five children: Shari Bernson, Susan (Robert) Dibble, Pamela (Jeffrey) Amen, John, and Joseph (Donna). Sharon was a loving and devoted grandma to Blake, Grant, Kayla, Logan, Drake, Johnathan, Josh, Bayley, and Taylor (Miranda).

In her youth, Sharon was a gymnast, model, and talented artist. She started her career early, working at her father’s restaurants, then as an Elevator Operator at Auerbach’s department store in Salt Lake City. She enjoyed telling stories about her time modeling, working as a store detective, and working the window at the racetrack. Sharon had incredible energy and was a liberated and entrepreneurial spirit. She had a brilliant mind and an unparalleled memory for dates, names and details. She was ahead of her time. Sharon wanted to be her own boss so she could maintain flexibility in her primary roles as a wife and mother. She created The Lemon Shop in 1976 where she offered overstocked items at huge discounts and helped many people in Denver’s Baker Neighborhood. In the early 1990’s, she founded and owned Upgrade Solutions, a computer memory company. After selling her business, Sharon went back to school to study Landscape Architecture. She obtained her Master Gardener certificate and volunteered for the CSU Extension Division, helping others with their gardening issues while participating in several community gardens in South Denver. She and John enjoyed gardening and landscaping and they always had the most spectacular yard which inspired and influenced many of their neighbors. Sharon loved kids and was known to be a mother to all who needed one. She spent years volunteering at Children’s Hospital in Denver. She also volunteered for Colorado Public Television PBS12 and Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Forever seeking new challenges, Sharon took up Taekwondo, a sport she had participated in 20 years earlier. She studied at the same dojang as her grandsons, where they enjoyed training together. Taekwondo became her passion and she earned her third-degree black belt at the age of 77! She is believed to be the oldest person who has ever tested for this distinction in the United States.

Sharon’s children and grandchildren were her pride and joy! She cheered them on endlessly in football, baseball, lacrosse, basketball, and volleyball games and never missed a school function or awards assembly. Her family was the center of her life and there was nothing she would not do for them. She was young at heart and is the only grandma we know who rode a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Sharon’s strength, determination, perseverance, indomitable spirit, and compassion always left an impression. She was truly loved and will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her. Sharon will be laid to rest at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. A Celebration of her life will be held in Spring, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of these organizations in Sharon’s honor:

Children’s Hospital Colorado: www.childrenscolorado.org

Food for The Poor: www.foodforthepoor.org

One Tree Planted: www.onetreeplanted.org

The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research: www.michaeljfox.org