Sharon Elizabeth Anderson
April 26, 1944 – January 27, 2012
She panned for gold in the Yukon with a two-year old at her side; and, with her husband of 45 years, peeked at Yellow-Eyed Penguins in New Zealand and rubbed noses with a Maori chieftain; she camped in Monument Valley and thrilled to magnificent Elk and Bighorn Sheep in the Canadian Rockies. Back in Seattle, she kissed a Killer Whale and each year cheered on the hydroplanes. But most of all she was the ultimate caregiver. She championed the ethical care of senior citizens and put her job on the line to put that care ahead of profits and misguided priorities. She raised a valedictorian and champion athlete and kept her husband fed, clothed and comfortable.
Sharon was a Registered Nurse for 44 years in California and Washington, but it was her many years as a Director of Nursing in Kitsap County that forged new friendships and inspired those with whom she worked. Others may remember her as someone that would listen when it seemed no one else would.
She came from hard-working immigrant parents. Her father was Gordon Robert Malham Stacey a Baptist Minister, born in England, while her mother was Kathleen Joanne (Huisson) Lathrop who made the difficult trip from Holland to a new land. Sharon began her nursing career ironically as an ICU nurse and it would end in an ICU after supreme and caring efforts by the staff of Bremerton’s Harrison Hospital.
She is survived by husband, Greg of Bainbridge Island; his sister Lynn Leary (Bob) and nephews, Matthew and Christopher of Berkeley, CA.; Greg’s brother, Arnold Foss and nephew and nieces, Matthew, Elizabeth Ann and Suzanne of Seattle; their daughter’s family, Stacey Anderson (Sue Harris) and children Kaylee, Jacqui and Jessi of Shelton; her brother’s family; Robert Stacey (Terry Baughn), with nieces Lorna Lynn of Bullhead City, AZ and Julia (Josh Brooks) and great-niece Adella of Seattle.
A celebration of her life will be held at the family home on April 21, 2012.
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