Sharon began life in Spokane, Washington on August 10, 1951, as the first child of Lucine and Warren Hanford. She grew up on a farm in Eastern Washington and always shared stories of riding her motorcycle through the fields, the good and bad of being around farm life and animals, and her loving Westie, Jamie. Always studious, Sharon graduated as valedictorian from her high school and then went on to Whitman College in Walla Walla, where she studied history and spent a semester abroad in London. She then moved to California to complete a master’s degree in Art History at UC Davis. Following graduation, she enjoyed working at the de Young Museum, as well as simply living in the big, vibrant city of San Francisco in the 70s. Accepting the role of curator at Bush House in Salem, Oregon prompted her move back north. She met her future husband, Dale, in Salem, and attended Law School at Willamette University, graduating in 1983. Sharon and Dale purchased property on the Oregon coast, built a vacation home together and shortly thereafter welcomed their daughter, Katherine (Kate) into the world. Sharon worked part-time while Kate was growing up, always the most dedicated, loving and supportive mother. Family and friends always came first to Sharon who reliably and selflessly stepped up to help.
Sharon spent many years working for Marion County’s Support Enforcement team and finished her professional career there. Throughout her life, Sharon enjoyed travelling, including two trips to Europe during high school, several cruises with family, visiting Kate several times during her periods of study abroad, and a later trip to explore Turkey with her brother, Russ. She was an avid reader, gardener, and while she never loved cooking or baking, friends and family always looked forward to anything she prepared. She volunteered for many years with the Willamette Valley Auxiliary Assistance League of Salem, leading and working on a variety of projects to support local disadvantaged youth, as well as at the Salem Public Library. She is survived by her daughter Katherine (Kate), sister Layne, and brother Russell (Russ). She passed away at home with family at her bedside on March 11, 2022. Many thanks to Willamette Vital Health and Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service for their assistance. The family will hold a celebration of life at a later date.
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