I am so sad to learn my dear friend, Sharon, has passed. We were college friends and we went to Sweden together for our junior year and roomed together in the same Swedish house. I was honored to be in her wedding. I am so pleased to read all the loving comments regarding Sharon. I can't say enough about my esteem for her. She taught me a lot. The world has lost such a special person and I'm so sorry for all of those who loved her and will miss her forever.

I feel overwhelmingly blessed to have been given the gift of having Sharon in my life.

Where to start about what she meant to me… it was amazing and beautiful to see how quickly she became such a critical part in all the Newton's lives. She was a warm, gracious, loving, generous, thoughtful, independent, smart, kind woman who did so much with her life. She set a wonderful example of feminine strength for me, my daughter, and my nieces. I always felt an incredible connection with her...like she really saw me and for that I am forever grateful.

When she first joined our family I was a little nervous that she would try to take Terry's place, but instead she made a place of her own. She celebrated my mom along with her late husband Joel and the wonderful relationship that she had with my dad took nothing away from their previous marriages. I don't think that is something that is easily done and she did it with grace and made it seem effortless. I will never forget that.

I'm also so grateful that my dad found her. She got him up and out of the house and helped him to be his best self. His life is richer for having had this relationship and I am so grateful that he got not one but two chances to be with wonderful women. Plus she made him a touch better dresser. 😘

She was magical grandmother to my two children. They always looked forward to their time at "Camp Wallenstrom" and were forever changed by her infectious love of fairy houses. During the time we lived in Annapolis, she would show up with just the right things to help me during Dave's deployment. Things I didn't even know I needed. She just had that gift to know what people needed and the personality to get done what needed doing.

I could go on and on but let's suffice it to say that we are richer and better people for having known her and for having had her in our lives. The end was difficult time for her but her grace and strength in the face of this illness served as yet a final legacy I will continue to recall and learn from for many years to come.

All my love, Sweet GS...you will be missed but never forgotten and always LOVED!