Sharon Elaine Benjamin

Sharon attended Greeley Central High School, where she met the love of her life, Tom Benjamin. The two were married on August 28, 1964, and moved to Longmont, Colorado, in 1966, where they raised their two children, Billy and Pam.

A passionate educator, Sharon earned her associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Front Range Community College and later received her master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1992. She briefly served as an instructor in the Early Childhood Education program at Front Range Community College before embarking on a fulfilling career in Special Education within the St. Vrain Valley School District. She made a lasting impact at Sunset Middle School, Prairie Ridge Elementary, and Hygiene Elementary, earning a reputation as a dedicated teacher, advocate, and mentor. Sharon retired from teaching in 2011, after which she and Tom enjoyed working as campground hosts at Westlake for eleven years in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado.

Sharon’s life was marked by generosity, compassion, and servant-hearted love. During the late 60s and early 70s, she was active in Epsilon Sigma Alpha, a service sorority that supported children in need throughout the Longmont area. Over the years, she served faithfully in nursery and children’s ministry roles at Longs Peak Southern Baptist Church, in the special needs ministry at LifeBridge Christian Church and in the coffee shop ministry at White Fields Community Church. She was a blessing to many as one of the “Soup Angels” and as a volunteer at local food pantries.

Sharon loved the outdoors and embraced life through camping, hunting, fishing and gardening. Her love for people and joy for life touched everyone who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin “Ed” and Edna Hoyt; her brother, Edwin “Jerry” Hoyt; and her sister, Patricia “Pat” Pettengill.

Sharon is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Tom Benjamin of Longmont, CO; her children Billy (Susie LaRoe) Benjamin of Leesburg, FL, and Pam (Don) Watts of Red Feather Lakes, CO; her bonus daughter, Darlene Benjamin of Wichita, KS; grandchildren Heath Benjamin of Westcliffe, CO, Sabrina (Sam) Schleiger of Milliken, CO, Arin (Jordan) Wurth of Wichita, KS, Michelle (Michael) Lerner of Omaha, NE, Hali (John) Trepke of Longmont, CO, and Jessica (Alex) Freehling of Milliken, CO; and great-grandchildren Blane Richter of Fort Lupton, CO, Macy, Kara, Brock, and Carson Schleiger of Milliken, CO, Bryley Bigley and Calvin Wurth of Wichita, KS, Brynn and Violet Lerner of Omaha, NE, and Anastasia and Barrett Freehling of Milliken, CO, goddaughter Alizae Wilson of Longmont, CO and step grandchildren Caitlyn Andree and Riley Picard and step great-grandchild Avory Picard, all of Tampa, FL, and step grandchildren Dominique Watts of Aurora, CO and Tim Watts of Boulder, CO.

She is also survived by her sisters: Arnetta Hoyt of Arvada, CO; Peggy Hersh of Fort Collins, CO; Dorothy Hoyt Starkey of Clearwater,FL; Claudia Reich of LaSalle, CO; and Kathy (Mike) Tegtman of Eaton, CO; brother-in-law Don (Donna Marie) Benjamin of Cedaredge, CO and many beloved relatives, friends and former students.

A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM at White Fields Community Church 2950 Colorful Ave. Longmont, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible donations may be made to The Joy House at joyhousestore.com