Sharon Lee Francisco

Sharon was born in Deshler, Ohio, in 1935, where she grew up with her three siblings. She learned to play piano and twirled baton as a majorette with the high school marching band. She graduated from Deshler High School in 1953.

Sharon attended Capital University in Columbus and received a bachelor's degree in Education. She taught elementary students in the Columbus Public School system, and later served as Director of Upper Arlington Lutheran Preschool.

In her sophomore year of college, she met John (Johnny) Francisco and he swept her off her feet. They were soon married and raised four children in their 27 years together. Sharon retired from teaching to care for the children, maintain their home and actively participate with church and Upper Arlington School PTA.

After her children had grown, mutual friends reintroduced Sharon to an old college friend, Phil Watson. They quickly fell in love, married, and were blessed with 12 short, but happy, years before Phil passed away. It was Sharon’s unwavering faith in God that enabled her to move forward after the tragic losses of 2009.

Sharon was surrounded with love from her friends and family at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church. She found a great sense of purpose serving on the usher team and in providing cookies and meals during funerals.

In addition to making cookies, breads, and jam, Sharon enjoyed growing vegetables and preparing delicious meals from her garden for family and friends. Everyone who entered her home was greeted with mouth-watering aromas and a scrumptious taste of whatever was cooking. Often, her children would come home to find an unexpected guest sitting at the kitchen table; a former neighbor, an old babysitter, or a distant relative – everyone was welcomed for a home-cooked meal and some motherly love.

Away from home, Sharon treasured time spent with family and friends in Southwest Florida. Often, while sitting on the beach in Siesta Key, she would say she felt “closer to God here than anywhere. “

Sharon is preceded in death by her parents, William and Elna Koppenhofer; brothers, Bill, Marvin, and sister, Carol; father of her children, John J. Francisco, Jr., their son, John William; husband, Phillip Watson; and son-in-law, William Morris.

Sharon was, first and foremost, a strong, loving mother and grandmother. She leaves behind three daughters; Julie Morris, Leslie (Jamie) Plahuta, and Marci Francisco; five grandchildren, Abigail Morris, Emma Morris, Sarah Heather Demkowicz (Fred), Haley Scott (John), Austin Plahuta; and one great grandchild, Loretta Jean Scott.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Dublin Retirement Village, Summit Home Therapy and Capital City Hospice.

Friends may call Friday, September 12, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., followed by a Memorial Service at 12:00 p.m. at Schoedinger Northwest, 1740 Zollinger Rd., Columbus, OH 43221 with reception to follow until 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, friends may donate in Sharon’s name to the American Heart Association, Capital City Hospice, or Upper Arlington Lutheran Church.