Sharon Lillian Mungo

Sharon Lillian Flanagan Mungo, 86, died peacefully at her home in San Antonio, Texas on a beautiful sunny winter afternoon, December 20th, 2025. She ended her earthly journey exactly how she wanted; with soft music, her cat Penny keeping vigil, and her children by her side.

Sharon was the oldest of four daughters born to Eugene and Winifred Flanagan. She grew up in the small “Hallmark” town of Sayville, New York, where many summer days were spent with toes in the sand or dodging jellyfish while swimming in the Great South Bay. She was stunningly beautiful with dark hair, sparkling blue eyes, and a golden tan.

Her high school years were in the quintessential 1950’s. She was a popular varsity cheerleader, the dance band singer, and received recognition for her beautiful voice by being selected for a solo spot in the coveted New York State choir.

Sharon graduated from New Paltz State Teachers College (now SUNY-New Paltz) in 1960. A year earlier, on a lazy afternoon at the student union, an Italian boy from Brooklyn spotted her in a black sheath dress singing “My Funny Valentine” with a little band behind her. The pixie dust hit. They fell in love, and Sam and Sharon began a life together with a marriage that would last 64 years.

Sharon moved with Sam and their 3 young children from New York to Illinois in 1969, where Sharon enjoyed a fulfilling career as a teacher. She would later get her masters degree and become a much-loved school counselor.

Her profession was important, but through the years Sam and Sharon would find an even higher calling. In the years that followed, they adopted three children of different races and welcomed a foster daughter who became their own. On Sundays, it was hard to miss the Mungo’s. With a family of nine, they filled up an entire pew at church, with almost every color of the rainbow represented.

Thanks to Sharon, a philosophy of acceptance and love became the family’s foundation. A foundation you can find today in her children and grandchildren.

Sharon had such a big heart, she would have taken in all the world’s children if she could. When she realized she couldn’t, she turned to help others learn the power of adoption and assisted couples in growing their families.

Sharon spent her life learning and sharing her wisdom. She counseled adults in her later years, served others in private sessions on spiritual direction, and helped lead religious retreats with Sam. She was a gifted writer of poems, loved reading books on spirituality, and would often pass on her pearls of wisdom to her 11 grandchildren who she loved deeply.

Sharon lost Sam, the love her life, in 2023, after courageously serving as his primary caretaker for the better part of ten years. She never gave up, and our family will be forever grateful for her strength and grace while taking care of our dad.

Sharon is preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Savario Mungo, and her parents, Gene and Winifred Flanagan. She is survived by her three sisters, Patty Schaal, Sandy Flanagan and Kathy LoCurto, seven children, Annmarie Simonson (Jeff), Carolyn Mungo, Sam Mungo (Brigitte), Julie Childs (Lenore Gehrig), Joseph Mungo, Tony Mungo, Wini Scott (Elliott), eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Special thanks to Nancy at Assisting Hands San Antonio who found Angel for Sharon in her final months and treated her with so much compassion and care. The family would also like to thank Sharon’s girlfriends at the “lunch table” at Independence Hill Retirement Community. They filled her days with laughter and friendship.

Sharon Mungo’s legacy is one of love and wisdom. “Just take the next right step,” she would say. “All will be well.”

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 03, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary North 2102 North Loop 1604 East San Antonio, Texas 78232 with a reception to follow.