Sharon A. Nemtusak

Sharon is survived by her daughter Kim Dunn; son-in-law Anthony Dunn; granddaughter Sara Dunn; daughter Sue Iona and “the girls”; son Daniel Nemtusak; daughter-in-law Martha Nemtusak; and grandson Charlie Nemtusak.

She is preceded in death by her devoted husband, Chuck Nemtusak; her hardworking and protective parents, Ray and Ann Brown; and her loving son-in-law, Mike Iona.

“Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.” —Aeschylus

Our angel, Sharon, was destined for a life of struggle, growing up in a working-class family on the South Side of Chicago. Her father worked in the rail yards and raised his daughters very strictly to prepare them for a harsh world. Sharon attended Lindblom High School and took refuge in the bonds of sisterhood, sharing a strong love of music with her sisters, Donna and Bobbe, and teaching one another how to perfect the jitterbug in the front room of their tiny bungalow home.

Sharon would later go on to meet the true love of her life while she was working at the Jewels. Her beloved worked in the back office as an accountant, ambitiously gaining career experience as he put himself through night school. The two married and raised three children, blessed to have fifteen idyllic years together living the American dream. Inevitably, the universe, having no shortage of suffering, ripped this Chief from his small tribe, leaving Sharon to decide how she would now be the breadwinner as well as the mother to these children.

Having no workforce skill set, Sharon sought employment in the only place she could fathom—the kitchen. She found a morning and afternoon job at the college across the street so she could attempt to balance work with raising the kids. This craft would be Sharon’s vocation moving forward, and her work ethic in the kitchen eventually inspired her son to become a professional chef.

Not wanting to give up on life, Sharon attempted romance several times, only to return to the conclusion she had already reached—there would be only one love in this life for her. Learning to thrive in her independence, Sharon had many passions, including raising animals, crocheting, crafting, and gardening; she had an incredible green thumb with flowers and plants. Sharon truly discovered her aesthetic and style in these years. Of course, Sharon’s light burned brightest when her grandchildren, Sara and Charlie, were in her heart.

One may read to this point and still not grasp the essence of this remarkable lady. To truly know Sharon is to have felt the depth of her selflessness, compassion, and generosity up until the very end. Sharon lived life on her terms, neither bending her principles to an overbearing, male-dominated, toxic world nor allowing her heart to harden in the face of despair. Sharon trusted her inner heart’s wisdom to guide her through this world and, in doing so, truly lived by the Golden Rule.

Mom, you have touched so many lives, and the love and joy you have given can never be repaid. We love you.