Sharon Mallory Wood

A sharp wit and an even sharper intellect, Sharon was a woman with ideas and opinions she was not afraid to share. She grew up in Olympia, Washington in a home defined by a strong work ethic and a focus on educational excellence. Despite being the state capitol, Olympia was a small town - made even smaller by virtue of her father being the Mayor. Olympia would not be able to hold her.

Sharon was an excellent student and loved to dance; she had the unique combination of creativity and discipline to be exceptional in whatever she undertook. In 1951 she was accepted to Scripps College in Claremont, California in their liberal arts program. She received a summer scholarship from Scripps to study modern dance at the school of her choice, and was accepted to study under Martha Graham at the Connecticut College for Women. In her last year at college, Sharon's friend was dating a man from San Francisco, whose brother - Nic Wood - was serving at Fort Ord. The two brothers had planned a 3-day trip to Claremont, and Sharon was set up on a blind date with Nic. It would be the beginning of a love affair that spanned nearly seven decades.

Sharon's chosen field of study was Early Childhood Development, and she graduated from Scripps in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts. After graduation, with her fiance now discharged from the Army and in San Francisco finishing his own studies, Sharon began teaching at the Ford Country Day School in Los Altos Hills. Bringing her two passions together, she developed a rhythm and movement program to help preschool children to better express themselves and to aid in the early detection of learning disabilities.

Sharon and Nic announced their engagement in 1956 and were married in 1957. Two sons and a stint in New York followed before the young family settled in San Jose, California. In 1963, Sharon, wishing to continue her work in Early Childhood Development, enlisted like-minded members of the American Association of University Women and co-founded Mulberry School, a parent co-op which eventually grew to have an enrollment of 180 students. A long wished for daughter followed a few years later; the family was complete.

Sharon created a home full of love and warmth. Sharon loved to cook, and her hand-decorated Christmas cookies were famous throughout the neighborhood. The home she made was always open; a friend who experienced some challenging times as a teenager fondly remembered her warm welcome, calling Sharon a beacon of light and a source of happiness.

Another friend called her a positive force in every life she touched; shaping his awareness of the world and making him feel valued and worthy of his place in it. This was typical of the impact she had on people. Extended family were always close to the heart, and she and Nic maintained several very special friendships that survived more than fifty years - you know who you are.

Sharon was the one who would hold the torch of hope when things were at their worst. She was a doer and never complained; even when she was battling and overcoming cancer. As she would say with a clap of her hands, sly smile and a light sing-song, "Get with the program". She always put her family first, and placed no personal expectations on her kids. She focused on getting things done, regardless of the challenge. After her son suffered a spinal injury, she worked to improve the processes at the hospital and created a support group for other families facing long-term medical challenges. In addition to managing the family home, she continued teaching. Over time her work focused more and more on adult education; teaching Early Childhood Development classes at both San Jose City College and at DeAnza College. Her technique included the use of drum rhythm, with the help of 'Mr. Drum', to assist children who were having difficulty learning to speak. In 1972, the American Association of University Women nominated Sharon for the "Women of Achievement" award in the field of education, an award she proudly accepted.

Sharon was a member of the League of Women Voters and active in local politics. She was particularly active in the campaigns of women running for elected office, including that of Janet Grey Hayes, who in 1974 became the first female to be elected Mayor of a major metropolitan city in the USA. She encouraged her children to be involved as well, a son canvassing the neighborhood at a tender age.

She and Nic retired and moved to Carmel in 1989. Here they shared their love of collecting early California artwork, and enjoyed extended travel to Munich, London and Florence. She spent some of her free time writing; composing her memoirs of growing up on the Pacific coast during WWII, and publishing a children's book.

Some who knew her best described her as a matriarch. In her later years, living in an assisted living facility, the management called her a beacon in the community. Sharon made a real difference in so many people's lives. As a parent, she was a role model without equal. Even in the final hours of her ninety-one years she was selfless, telling those at her bedside 'now go do something together that will make you happy; have a nice dinner and a good bottle of wine'.

And that is exactly how those who knew her should celebrate her life; go out and do something good for yourself that would make Sharon smile.