Sharon K. Bennett

Sharon K. Bennett, 83, of New Albany, passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, July 26, 2023, at Bickford of Bexley, after a battle with cancer. She was born September 17, 1939, in West Jefferson, Ohio.

Her parents, Harold S. and Dorothy E. (McKinley) Bennett and nephew Steven D. Bennett precede her in death.

Sharon grew up in Plain City, Ohio, and was in the last graduating class of the original Plain City High School in 1956. At age 16, Sharon attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, ultimately obtaining her Master’s in vocal performance and achieving her performer’s certificate. She is also a veteran of the Metropolitan Opera, where she was coached by George Schick.

At 19, Sharon made her professional opera debut as Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi before eventually joining the Nuremberg Opera. Throughout her career, Sharon was a noted Coloratura Soprano, playing such roles as Ophelia (Hamlet), Lucia (Lucia di Lammermoor), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), Gretel (Hansel und Gretel), and most notably Gilda (Rigoletto) and the Queen of the Night (The Magic Flute). During her career, Sharon sang internationally in Germany, Scotland, Ireland, England, South Africa, Israel, and Spain, and extensively in the United States at Carnegie Hall, Cleveland Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Washington’s National Symphony, and the Santa Fe Opera. Sharon received numerous musical grants and a Women of Achievement Award for the Arts from the Columbus YWCA in 1986. Her career also extended outside the opera house with a feature film in the Netherlands and a television role on Unsolved Mysteries in the US.

Later in life, Sharon was a Professor of Music at Iowa State University, Otterbein, and Capital University’s Conservatory of Music, where she retired after a long and satisfying career. Her interests included genealogy, Trader Joe’s coffee, Music, and playing piano.

In May 2023, Sharon celebrated 5 years as a Mary Kay Beauty consultant, received her Red Coat in 2021, attained the Star Consultant Achiever award 4 times and consistently excelled in the Preferred Customer Program. Those in her Mary Kay unit considered her an inspiration and much beloved.

As a Grace Life Church of the Nazarene member, she continued singing with her beloved church friends while praising the lord with her beautiful voice.

She is survived by her brother, David (Donna) Bennett, Special nephew, Phillip (Vickie) Bennett, and Special niece Laura (Burl) Whaley. Also, her step-nephews Alex (Colleen) Crager and Philip (Bethanie) Crager, numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and her precious dog Ziggy.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 6, 2023, from 1pm – 3pm at Schoedinger Northeast Funeral Home, 1051 Johnstown Rd, Gahanna, OH. A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held at 10am on Monday, August 7, 2023, at Grace Life Church of the Nazarene, 6000 Johnstown Rd, New Albany, OH, with Pastor Steve Brown officiating. Services will conclude with interment at Forest Grove Cemetery in Plain City.