Sharon Ritter Smith

Sharon Ritter Smith, former Executive Director of the Oregon Chapter of the American Red Cross, passed away November 8, surrounded by family. Sharon’s life was guided by love and devotion to family, deep friendships and service to her community.

Bringing the community together to complete the Red Cross building in North Portland during one of the state’s worst recessions was among Sharon’s proudest accomplishments. She went on to serve as Senior VP of the American Red Cross in Washington, DC. Upon her 1996 retirement, employees stated, “Hers was a vision that cared more about customers than convenience, more about promises than politics, and more about fairness than favoritism.”

Sharon was born and raised in Missoula graduating in 1959 from the University of Montana. She was active in many Portland community organizations, serving on the Beaverton Planning Commission and City Council in the 1970s. She was an avid painter, golfer and pianist.

Sharon is survived by her husband, Foster Smith, her children Kimberly Ritter, Suzanne Hayden and Michelle Parkel, her sister Marlis Barnum and six grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at Skyline Memorial Gardens on November 30 at 11:00 AM. Contributions in lieu of flowers should be directed to The Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross.