Sharon Anne Berry

Sharon Anne Berry was born in Kansas City, Missouri but quickly crossed the river to grow up in Kansas City, Kansas. Arriving August 4, 1961, she was the middle of three children born to Teresa and Rex Berry.

She attended Turner High School and continued her education receiving a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management-Parks and Recreation Administration from Kansas State University (KSU). She later received a second Bachelor’s degree from KSU in Elementary Education. After teaching for many years in Alief ISD she attended the University of Houston-Clear Lake where she obtained her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership.

Sharon was a loving sister to older brother Michael and little sister Lisa, a doting aunt to nieces Grace Fike and April Ruzicka, and in November of 2010 she was thrilled to become a “Super Aunt” to great-niece Autumn Fike. Sharon said that she was way too young to be a ‘great’ aunt so she settled on the word ‘super’.

Sharon’s life was enriched by the presence and love of Jennifer Barnes. Sharon and Jenn were inseparable whether traveling from Belize to Omaha, or just at their home in Houston.

Sharon loved music, traveling, reading and learning. She was a dedicated K-State Wildcat fan and every fall you could hear her enthusiastically debating with Jenn about which Big 12 team was the best! She loved sporting events, especially attending Astros games and rooting louder than anyone even if they were losing! She and Jenn had season tickets to the theatre and Sharon literally had the best seat in the house since her wheelchair often stuck out over the stage!

Sharon was very active in the St. Justin Martyr Catholic Community where she sang in choir, served as Eucharistic Minister, served on the Parish Council and taught CCE classes.

In November of 2005 Sharon suddenly became paralyzed. Through great strength, faith and courage and with the help of family and friends, she remained the vibrant, wonderful, amazing person we all knew and loved.

After a brief illness, Sharon passed away peacefully on May 17, 2012. Words cannot express how much she will be missed.

A Memorial Fund has been established in Sharon’s memory with The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research. Please log on to: www.tirrfoundation.org to makd a donation.