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Sharon’s Story

Site created on April 8, 2019

Sharon Lynn Wallenstrom passed away at home in Severna Park, MD, on April 5, 2019, at the young age of 79. Sharon left us peacefully after a long battle with Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD) - a rare, neurodegenerative disease that is as sinister as Sharon was courageous and graceful in her fight against it.

Sharon was born on March 20, 1940, in Minneapolis, MN. She was the daughter of Dorothy Ethel Holmes-Waskow and Frank Charles Waskow. Sharon grew up in the great state of Wisconsin with her sister Carol Anne and brother Richard (Dick). In 1958 Sharon graduated from Spencer High School outside of Marshfield, Wisconsin, and headed off to the University of Wisconsin. During her time as a Badger, Sharon studied for a year in Sweden, a memory and experience she cherished her entire life. On August 18, 1962, she was married to her high school sweetheart Joel Lloyd Wallenstrom of Marshfield, Wisconsin after they both graduated from UW in 1962.

During their marriage, Sharon and Joel lived in California, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Maryland. It was in Utah that their first child, Jon Charles Wallenstrom, was born (1965). Their second son Joel Frank followed in 1968 while the young family lived in California. Soon after, the family relocated to Seattle, Washington. While in Seattle, Sharon focused primarily on raising her boys, but also exercised her love for art and antiques through a job with Butterfield and Butterfield Auctioneers. It was here that she was involved in the sale of Washington Crossing the Delaware (Bingham) in 1975.

In 1980 the family moved to Severna Park, MD, and Sharon found a community and built friendships that would make Maryland her home. Active in the Severna Park community, she cherished her time on the St. Martin's in the Field Hand Bell Choir and Flower Guild and was regularly seen on the B&A bike trail zooming along on her recumbent bike with the stars and stripes and happy face flags flapping behind her.

When not soaking in the relaxing task of raising teenage boys, Sharon worked at Severn School, as a real estate agent for Champion Realty, and started a local Curves franchises with her dear friend Deb Hoffman. In 1993, along with her husband and their great friends' Web and Beth Chamberlin, she co-founded City Dock Café in downtown Annapolis. After losing Joel in 2003, Sharon threw herself into her work at the Maryland state legislature. It was this last stop that most fed Sharon’s intellect and honed her unassailable belief in protecting the Chesapeake Bay and passionate opinions regarding the shortcomings of our current political climate.

In 2007, while working in Annapolis, and at the prodding of the City Dock Chamberlins, Sharon met and fell in love with David Newton of Annapolis. Theirs was a fast friendship that became a deep love. Sharon and Dave spent the past 12 years traveling, biking, and ultimately as co-conspirators in the fight against CBD.

Sharon will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her Best Friend Dave Newton, son Jon (Heather) of Kailua, Hawaii; and son Joel (Susannah) of San Anselmo, California. Her five grandchildren will love and remember their GS for her kindness, humor, cookies, ski boat, and fairy houses. They are Alia and Evan (Jon & Heather) and Turner, Samantha, and Lucy (Joel & Susannah). She deeply loved and is survived by her sister-in-law Bev Waskow and brother-in-law Jim Lies. Her unusually close bond to niece and nephew Jennifer and Luke Lies are a reflection of the special bond she shared with her sister Carol. After falling in love with Dave Newton her love spilled over to his three children and their families - Paige (husband Dave and kids James and Dani); EJ (husband Stever and daughter Makenna); and Mike (wife Rebecca and kids Haley, Joe, and Samantha).

A memorial service will be held on April 22, 2019, at 10:00 AM at Saint Martin's in the Field's Church, 375 Benfield Road, Severna Park, Maryland. (www.stmartinsmd.org). In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (https://www.cbf.org (https://www.cbf.org/)) or to CurePSP (https://www.psp.org/).

Newest Update

Journal entry by David Newton — Apr 9, 2019

My Dearest Sweet Sharon,

Life was such a struggle for you these last few years, but now you rest. I am glad. I am sad. I don't want to come home and open the front door.

We had such magnificent times. Catching Maryland blue crabs, marveling at a magnificent sunset over the Severn, and sleeping on the dock. Biking in Tuscany and sharing amaretto gelato in Stressa. The Andalusian Sky, and the careening bus ride down the mountain in Granada.
Our home was always filled with our wonderfully compatible families. Of course, I'll never forget the highlight trip of our lives to Argentina. You were fighting CBD so we fitted you into a fully reclining seat on a 767 and you made the trip. What a grand time! Unfortunately you fell headfirst into a bidet. Always the jokster.

Even at the height of your illness, people gathered around you. Just to see you smile and hear you laugh. Your intellect, your class, and your kindness oozed from every pore. People were drawn to you.

Now, it is painful that you are not here, but joyous that you have been released from your prison.

I love you, I will always love you.
Dave

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