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In Memory
Sharon Farrell Jurgensen
1944 -2017
Sharon passed away on December 10 after a valiant fight with cancer. Gracious and caring to the end, Sharon made sure to send her annual photo Christmas card expressing her appreciation for the love and support she received. That support, plus her strong faith and upbeat approach to life was with her to the end.
In PHS days, Sharon drove a vintage Ford which had been restored by her Dad. I remember her driving Merilyn Hoover and me to Kwik Way for lunch. She and her Mother hosted occasional tea parties; in my mind, I can see Mrs. Akesson, seated at a beautifully decorated table, pouring tea.
After graduating from USC, Sharon and her husband stayed in Southern California where they raised their children, Scott and Janine, both of whom lived near Sharon. She treasured spending time with her four grandchildren.
Our class was also important to her. She helped with all of the reunions and Susan Korb Johnson created the nametags for our 50th in 2012. Every time we were in touch, Sharon asked, “Who have you seen?” After our reunion luncheon in June, she wanted to know who was there and what each of them was doing.
Darlene Epstein Jurow recalls, “The year I lived in LA, Sharon and I spent bushels of time lunching and laughing and recounting PHS Home room pranks and embarrassing moments with uniforms!”
Sharon loved entertaining family and friends. She brought together a group who met for picnics overlooking Balboa Bay, a group who walked and others who enjoyed going to the movies. When I stayed with her a few years ago, she invited Susan Korb Johnson and her husband for dinner so that we could catch up. Sharon’s gifts for organization lead to her become a professional organizer, helping others to keep track of their finances.
In addition to her children and grandchildren, Sharon is survived by her sisters Christy and Janine and their families. Services will be held in early January. We will all miss Sharon and her warm smile.
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Susan Korb (Johnston)
Sharon was the organizer of our Summer Picnic Group that met every Thursday evening on the beautiful bluff overlooking Corona del Mar beach. Because of her generosity, we were able to make new and valued friendships. I was so impressed by her resilience when I accompanied her to several chemo treatments and remember thinking that she was providing an important example for the rest of us when faced with a serious and life threatening illness. We will miss her and will treasure all the memories that she helped to create. I took the photo below last Christmas season, December 2016.
Harriet Akesson (Vanderbilt)
Sharon and I were close neighbors growing up. Our families spent countless days enjoying holiday parties in the winter and boating adventures in the summer. We were likley to be found playing hide-and-seek, climbing trees, or swimming during the summertime. Sharon's sister, Christy, my sister, Liz, and Kathy Witkoff were comrades in play and confidents throughout our young life in Piedmont. Ann Besler Nicoletti and John Trefethen were frequent additions to our inner circle.
Although distance separated us geographically, we stayed in touch. We usually talked at least a couple of times a year. Sharon encouraged me to attend the 50th reunion, telling me that Ann Dean was flying across the country and wanted to make sure I was there! Thanks to Sharon, we did attend and we had a great time.
When Liz died in January, it was Sharon who called me and offered many words of kindness and sympathy. We talked together about our life growing up "in the hood". She was so upbeat and so full of hope. I remeber thinking that I would want that same spirit and courage if I was ever faced with a life-threatening liiness.
I know that Liz and Kathy were there to welcome Sharon to Paradise. May she always be full of God's grace and enjoy the peace of Christ.