Sharon Jean Grice

Sharon J. Grice, born on September 23rd, 1941 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to the late Richard and Ellen (Penny) Wood, passed away peacefully on October 27th, 2022 at Good Samaritan Medical Center in Lafayette, Colorado.

Sharon grew up a traveled young girl, moving often due to her father’s commitment to the Naval Service and profession in construction. She lived in Michigan, California, and Florida in her youth. As a girl, on a cross-country trip from California to Michigan, she was introduced the beauty of the Colorado Front Range, and vowed she would one day settle down in the shadow of the Rockies. Later, she attended Daytona Beach High School. After high school, she married and started a family. In time, she found her calling as a caregiver for developmentally delayed children. She made her mark at the Duval Home in Central Florida caring for those she believed to be the most deserving of compassion and patience. In 1987, she fulfilled her dream of moving to Colorado to assist her best friend Ronnie establish a foster home.

Sharon took pride in her community. She was a devout Christian and an active member of Crossroads Church for 35 years. She believed in serving the people of her community and consigned countless hours of her life to Senior Hub, Meals-on-Wheels, Santa’s Workshop, Volunteer Thornton, and many local hospitals. Additionally, she used her talent in music to provide free concerts throughout the area as a member of the musical group, Yesteryear Singers.

Sharon lived for sharing memorable experiences with her family and friends. She had many passions, but traveling was her favorite. She often spoke of her trip to the Holy Land in Israel as the highlight of her life. Over the years she traveled worldwide, experiencing the lives and cultures of other peoples. Most recently, she traveled to Ireland, Hawaii, Paris, and Amsterdam. In her later years, she became quite the artist, creating thousands of drawings, paintings, and colorings reflecting the beauty that she perceived in the world throughout her life. Many of these drawings, she has given to her family and friends. She loved people, becoming a friend to everyone she met, always taking the time for conversation and open-heartedness.

Sharon raised three children, Joy, Mark and Rod, and was blessed with 40 grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was married and divorced. The late John Russell was her loving companion until his final day. She is survived by her daughter, Joy Bryant, her youngest son, Rod Grice, her siblings, Shirley, Suzanne, Ricky, and Ronny, and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Now, she has met the Lord and reunited with her oldest son, Mark W. Grice in Heaven.

A graveside memorial service will take place Thursday, November 17th, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, 10201 Grant Street, Thornton, Colorado.

IN THE EVENT OF INCLIMATE WEATHER, THE MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT 11AM, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH IN THE HONOR WEST CHAPEL OF OLINGER HIGHLAND MORTUARY & CEMETERY, 10201 GRANT STREET IN THORNTON. INURNMENT WILL FOLLOW AT OLINGER HIGHLAND CEMETERY.

Sharon wished that any memorial contributions be made to the Wild Animal Sanctuary, 2999 County Road 53, Keenesburg, CO 80643.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhighland.com for the Grice family.