From Sharyn (Willie) Wilson Woods

Memorials

Remembrances from Classmates

I am very sorry to tell you all that Sharon passed away yesterday afternoon (November 16th 2004). She had been battling stomach cancer for just over a year and put up a noble fight. Her daughter-in-law called last night to say she died peacefully in her sleep.

Sharon was diagnosed with the disease last October and was hoping to "have it beat" in time to come to the reunion. Even three weeks before our big event, she was taking about coming because she always had such a good time getting together with all of us "kids." In September, she had just started a new regime of chemo and couldn't leave Florida. Obviously, things took a turn for the worse and now she's gone.

At the time the committee was working on the invitations, which Sharon's company printed for us, she was traveling to MD Anderson in Houston for more tests and consultations on treatments. That was in July .... But she was still very upbeat, talking about how in the intervening months she was sure the new treatments would do the trick so she could come to Barrington (for the reunion).

I guess I'm such an optimist that I never considered the disease would win. I thought it was just a matter of time before they found the treatment that would cure her. I'm still in shock that she's gone..

...For those of you who kept up with Sharon, I'm sure you know that she an her husband Wayne were enjoying a wonderful life in Florida. Her mom had moved down there and lived out her last years near-by. Her brother, Dick, relocated near her from Barrington only a few years ago. And both her daughter, Shani, who is married with two kids, and her son, Kirk, who is married to Robin and has two little ones, live near-by too. She worked hard with Wayne in their printing company, had a beautiful home, and loved to travel. But the most important thing to her was her family. I cannot imagine how her loss will affect all those who love her.

... I never dreamed (Sharon) she wouldn't recover. I guess my optimism had to do with only communicating with her by email and phone. I never saw her so I had no idea how bad it was. And she always made it sound like the next treatment was going to be the right one.. Willie (Sharyn Wilson Woods)

(at the funeral) …I went to the funeral on Friday and it was a wonderful celebration of her life. The chapel was filled with flowers and there was standing room only for all the people... I was amazed at how many Barrington people were at the funeral. Wayne (Nightengale, Sharon's husband) was in my sister's class, …(and) Steve Merkel, who came down from Barrington, where he still lives. One of my sister's good high school friends, Janet Johnson, was there too. She now lives in the Tampa area. And I think Margie Newhall may have been there Thursday night. They were all in the class of 1960.

And then there were all (Sharon’s) family members too. Dick Huss (class of '60) married a Barrington girl, Janette. Sharon's oldest brother, Chuck died of cancer when he was 59. He married a Barrington girl too and she (Nancy) was there. And, of course, …Mike Huss (Sharon’s brother), was there…. He graduated from Ela Vernon and married a Lake Zurich girl. It was nice to see him again and to meet his wife, Paulette, and their daughter, Brittany, who is a freshman in college in Tampa. What a huge family that is. … Shani (daughter) was born in 1969 and she's married to Bob Davis, who took care of all the printing of the reunion invitations for us. They have four kids, Brennan is 13, Sienna is 10 and the twins, Kaley and Addison, are seven. Kirk was born in 1972 and is married to Robin. They have two (children), Savannah, who is three and a new baby, Ava, who was born in September. I also met Wayne's nephew, Steve, who still lives in Barrington, and I saw many other friends of Wayne's and the kids.

There was a luncheon after the funeral and then I went back to the house…where Shani and Kirk also have homes. There were many people there to support the family. Sharon certainly had many, many friends. I stayed with one her Florida friends, Helen Yeager, who was on the Tahiti cruise with us in 2000. It was nice to see Helen again and we stayed up half the night telling Sharon stories and watching the video I did of that cruise. Sharon put together the vacation of a lifetime in February of 2000 and invited her sisters-in-law and several friends. There were 10 of us in all, many from Barrington, and we did crazy things and laughed a lot during the 10 days in the South Pacific.

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Sharon's family has requested that any memorials, in Sharon's name, be sent to to the American Cancer Society.

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From her classmates:

I'm sorry to here about Sharon. She was really a great kid in high school. She will be missed. Thanks for the note. Ray Currid

Thank you for the e-mail regarding the passing of Sharon. My thoughts are with her family. It kind of brings things in to prespective when those your own age are passing. Jolene (Shay) Hartje

Many thanks for the email about Sharon Huss. I will keep her and her family in prayer. Bill Forrest

Thank you for letting me (us) know about Sharon. It made me very sad to learn of her passing. Sharon was always full of fun and one of my favorites. I met Sharon in 4th grade at Grove Ave School. The last time I saw her was at our 25th reunion. Janean (Miller) McQuade

Thank you... for being so thoughtful in letting us know about Sharon. It is a sad day for her family and friends. May they find peace and comfort.  Kristi Mizen,

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