Sharon M Russell

1930-2023

Sharon Marie Russell, longtime resident of Pacific Grove, CA passed away on July 19, 2023. She was born on May 8, 1930 in Santa Ana, CA to Laura Marie McNaught and Sheldon T. Russell and grew up in Sacramento, CA. She graduated from Pomona College, Class of 1952, then spent an exciting year in New York, living in International House and attending Teachers College, Columbia University, receiving her Master of Arts degree in 1953. She returned to Pomona (the school district) and remained for the next thirty-four years, working as an elementary school teacher, resource teacher, curriculum coordinator, area superintendent and assistant superintendent of personnel services. During this time, Sharon earned the degree of Doctorate of Philosophy in Education from Claremont Graduate School (1975).

Sharon retired and moved to the Monterey Peninsula in 1988 to be with her mother, Marie. They had some wonderful trips in the US and abroad, and loved everyday life along the Central Coast.

Sharon delved into the mysteries of the ocean to qualify as a volunteer guide at the Monterey Bay Aquarium serving for 31 years, and as a docent at Point Lobos State Reserve. In Sharon’s words, “Both are fantastic places and provide new wonders with every visit. I do my best to put some “WOW!” into school tours and to help visitors appreciate and conserve Earth’s least explored and most vital resource, our oceans.”

Along the way, Sharon shared her life with her sweet canine companions—Lady, John C., and MAC. She was totally immersed in their lives, especially in bringing up her energetic and feisty Australian Shepherd pup, MAC. They each brought Sharon immense joy. Sharon had many good friends while in college, in Soroptimist and Delta Kappa Gamma. She was a member of the P. E. O. California State Chapter.

Sharon moved to Canterbury Woods, an active senior community in Pacific Grove, in 2007 where she made numerous friends and took on many leadership roles. Friends and extended family will miss her jovial spirit, common sense, and kindness.

At Sharon’s request, no services were held.