Sharon Marie Getchell

Our loving, beautiful Sharon was called home on July 11, 2025, after suffering a sudden, brief illness. For those who truly knew Sharon, they understood she was tenacious, sometimes ferocious in life and would fight for what she believed was right. She came Into this world fighting. When she was born, she was six weeks early and weighed only three pounds. She astonished everyone, including the medical community, when she was able to go home after only one month spent in an incubator. Her -strength and vigor never faded.

She worked full-time as a paralegal at two separate prestigious law firms in the City of Portland, Maine, where she made many life-long friends whom she held very dear. While working full-time, Sharon decided to further her education at Westbrook College. She went to school two nights a week, obtaining her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with the highest honors. It did not take her long to realize that this was not going to be enough for her. She made the decision that she wanted to become an attorney. She applied to the prestigious University of Maine, School of Law. After applying and being denied on several different occasions, she almost gave up. Luckily, "her attorneys", her loving friends, went to bat for her. They all set pen to paper, writing letters on her behalf. Many followed up with telephone calls to the powers that be at the school. Not to be deterred, Sharon's first husband, Dave Merrow, decided he would write his own letter. He sent his letter to the editor of the Portland Press Herald. Dave had done his research and found that many of the seats at the University of Maine, School of Law were being reserved for students from other states and countries. In fact, at the time, one seat was being taken up by a convicted felon who would never be able to hold a valid law license. The letter served its purpose, it was printed by the editor and shortly thereafter, Sharon received her acceptance letter to realize her dream to become an attorney. She was over the moon with joy. Finally, it was her turn.

Unfortunately, her joy would be tainted by her husband's diagnosis of kidney cancer shortly thereafter. Her entire first year of the rigorous struggles in law school, were made more difficult by the added stress of her taking her husband back and forth to Boston for cancer treatment. He was called home at the end of her first year of school. Sharon finished the next two years and graduated with her class, continuing on to pass the Maine State Bar. Sharon gained, and maintained many close relationships throughout these years. Eventually, Sharon opened and operated a very successful title company, Hearthside Title, where she worked until she retired two years ago. Sharon loved very deeply and was as protective as a lioness when it came to family and friends. One of Sharon’s biggest passions was watching the Boston Red Sox with her beloved husband Todd.

Whether at the stadium or on the couch in front of the television, her voice could be heard above everyone else, cheering on the team. She purchased every female baseball cap the team made and wore them almost daily. The last cap she purchased was actually named ''The Sharon" by the Boston Red Sox. Sharon was a lover of life. She had many other hobbies including travel, cooking, playing Black Jack, playing golf and spending time cruising around with her husband in their reconditioned 1967 Le Mans convertible, top down and music blaring. Sharon was deeply loved in life and left behind so many who adored her.

Sharon leaves her loving partner and husband Todd Getchell, her loving mother, Patricia Vacchiano, her adoring twin sister Karen McGoldrick and her husband Pat, her loving sister Nancy Exchange and her husband Richard and loving sister Tammy Vacchiano and her partner Craig. She leaves behind a best friend who is considered a sister to us all, Patti Brown She leaves two stepsons, Arie Merrow and Stephen Merrow and 3 grandchildren. She leaves behind her mother-in-law, Edie Getchell, sister-in law, Amy Safford and her husband John; sister-in-law, Carrie LeBlanc and her husband Bob; brother-in-law Nat and his fiancé Holly. She leaves many loving nephews, nieces, cousins, and so many beloved friends.

Sharon is predeceased by her first husband David Merrow, her father Ronald Vacchiano, her brother Tony Vacchiano, her maternal grandmother, paternal grandfather, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Services will be held August 23, 2025 10:00am at St. Ann’s Church located at 40 Windham Center Rd, Windham, ME 04062. A Celebration of Life will follow the service at Flaherty Farms – The Barn from 11:30am to 4:30pm located at 123 Payne Rd, Scarborough ME 04074.

You may offer your condolences or share your memories at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com