Sharon Francis

Indian Island – Sharon Louise Francis, 72, died unexpectedly at her home on August 11, 2010 surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was born on August 16, 1937, in Columbus, IN, the daughter of Joseph I. and Elizabeth (Brown) Gray.

Sharon graduated from the Livingston Academy in Livingston, TN and then continued on to join the United States Air Force. She proudly served her country for eight months before being discharged in 1958. She held many different positions in her life which included being a stitcher of shirts and shoes, a site supervisor for ME Indian Transportation, the assistant manager at the Sockalexis Hockey Arena, she transported medical patients for Penobscot Indian Health, and she also transported youth for school and summer trips. Among all of her accomplishments, Sharon was the first woman in Maine to become a youth hockey coach, and she was a highly regarded member of the Penobscot community. She enjoyed coaching basketball for the youth of Indian Island, volunteering to cook for the Wabanaki Confederacy and other gatherings, she was an avid fisherwoman, and always loved to be outside.

Sharon is survived by 5 children, Christopher “Charlie Brown” Francis, Michael Socoby, Victoria Spencer, Yvonne “Cookie” Ferland, and Darlene Page; 10 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren, and many close friends.

Along with her parents, Sharon is predeceased by her husband Harry “Tony” Francis, Jr. , and her brother Joseph Thomas.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on her birthday, Monday, August 16, at 11 am at the St. Ann’s Catholic Church on Indian Island. A luncheon will be held at the parish hall following the service. Burial will be at a later date. Notes of condolences may be left at www.birminghamfuneralhome.com