Sharon Rico, age 82, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2025 from a cardiac issue at home in Visalia, CA. She was a loving mother and grandmother whose radiant smile would light up any room that she entered. She enjoyed going to the beach, painting, gardening, shopping, church activities and spending time with her family and pets.
Sharon attended elementary, junior high, and high school in Visalia. She graduated with her Bachelor's degree and teaching credential from Fresno State University. She taught fourth grade for 39 years at Union School in the Visalia Unified School District.
Sharon met Manuel Rico while attending Mt Whitney High School. They married and had three children. She was the proud grandmother of nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Sharon and Manual were happily married until his passing in 2001.
She is survived by her children, Deborah (Mark) Frantz, Suzanne (Russ) Skadan, Richard (Paulette) Rico; grandchildren, Brianna, Alex (Isabella) and Erik Frantz, Keith (Amanda) and Gary (Desirae) Skadan, Megan (Skyler) Bettencourt, Aubrey (Brenden) Westfall, Ryan (Natalie) Rico, Elise (Kevin) Little; great-grandchildren, Sawyer and Dakota Skadan, Claire Skadan, Riley, Kennedy and Teagan Westfall, and Brinlee Little; sister, Caryl Creason.
She was preceded in death by husband Manual Rico, parents Robert and Flora Carter, and sister Kathleen Latronica.
