Sharon Green
August 7, 2020 - August 21, 2020
Obituary
Sharon Green died on August 21, 2020, 73 years, after struggling with multiple health issues. She received in her last days good and compassionate care from her medical team and love, support and vigilance from her dear friends. Predeceased by her parents, Wilbur and Bennye Green, and sister Carol Green Sistrunk, she is survived by brothers William Green and Otis Sistrunk, and a large circle of friends.
Sharon devoted her life to education and to being a servant leader. She served the Seattle Public Schools for 30 years as teacher, principal, curriculum specialist, executive director of Student Support Services and director of high schools. After retiring, she continued working with the state superintendent’s office to support principals around the state. She was active in many organizations – Delta Sigma Theta, Association of Washington School Principals, St. Vincent de Paul and the Seattle Schools Retirees Association to name a few. She regularly supported her alma maters, St. Mary’s, Holy Names and Seattle University with annual donations with designations for scholarships for students of color.
Sharon, the oldest of three children, was academically bright and a very diligent student. She exceled in all she attempted. In 1966 she was one of a handful of Black students from Catholic school who received scholarships to college. Without that help Sharon may not have been able to stay in college and complete her political science degree. Being appreciative of the help she received those many years ago, Sharon paid forward the same gifts for other students by generously donating to many scholarship funds.
In 1968 Sharon was elected the first woman president of the Seattle University student Political Union. She was an active member of the SU Young Democrats. While she was in the hospital, she was teased about voting for the first Asian-American vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Her retort was to the effect, she’s just as much Black as Asian. In honor of our dear Sharon, vote Democrat, Biden-Harris!
Shopping and casino hopping were among her favorite local activities. Sharon loved stopping in on Macy’s, Nordstrom’s, Hallmark, Harrods, Neiman-Marcus, Target, and she rarely came out empty-handed. When Covid closed down the malls, Sharon became the queen of QVC shopping. Her wardrobe was extensive, fashionable and chic. Nothing tacky dared to appear in her closets. However, she referred to this author as her “dear tacky-dressed friend”.
Sharon enjoyed travel both within the United States and abroad, and she did so in great style, well coifed, impeccably attired and with matching luggage, shoes, wallet and handbag. Her favorite places, England tops the list, Paris and Hawaii close behind. She shared her explorations with many of her dear friends.
Remembrances in Sharon’s name can be made to charities and organizations she supported –
St. Mary’s food bank, St. Vincent de Paul, Bertha Pitt Campbell scholarship of Delta Sigma Theta and Seattle Public Schools scholarship fund.
Mass for Sharon will be on October 2, 2020, 10:00 AM at Assumption parish, Seattle, WA. Mass will be live streamed on the Assumption website (www.assumptionseattle.com) Private committal at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery at 11:30.
On behalf of Sharon and her brother Billy, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to so many dear people who supported Sharon through thick and thin. A special shout out goes to Robb, Mark, Marilyn, Wanda, Sonja, Elma, Cheryl, Sally, Marietta and Amelia for their unwavering support and love.
Marva
Sharon was a great friend. Our whole family has been devastated by her passing. I expect she will be stirring things up in heaven. RIP!!
Sharon’s leadership, presence, and dedication to public education was outstanding.
She served as a role model, inspiration, and leader for so many. Thank you Sharon for
all your service to Seattle Schools Retirees’ Association as President and leader for
S.E.E.D. (grants to teachers in Seattle Schools).
We loved your leadership at Franklin High School when our children were there.
We honor you – Patricia & Craig MacGowan
Thanks Sharon for showing us how to live.
Sharon,
I can’t believe you are gone. Thank you for being a great God-Mother! I can see why my Mother chose you! You were always there for all my events and holidays sharing beautiful cards and gifts-many I still cherish till this day! You lived big, you lived well, and I pray that I will live a full life like you! You were a great example of how to live! Everyone you graced with your presence has you in their heart! I will carry you in mine. I love you dearly-Rest in Peace.
Love you with all my heart,
Stephanie
Sharon,
You will be missed and never forgotten. We shared so many fun times over the years and deep conversations.
Thanks for being a fantastic God-Mother to my daughter! She thought you were the greatest!
Rest in peace until we meet again.
Love,
Beverly Raines
Just finished watching the live streamed Mass for Sharon. In my minds eye I saw her once again, a formidable presence, chicly dressed and heard that wonderful voice and melodic laugh. Sharon was a Force of Nature! God bless Billy, her extended family and friends. Until we meet again,
Kathy Lucci Todd
Childhood neighbor
St.Mary’s ’61
Holy Names Academy ’65
Sharon and I were both volunteers with St. Vincent de Paul and parishioners at Assumption Church. It was always a pleasure to see her at our quarterly Council meetings at St. Vincent de Paul and at Holy Names Alumni events. It gave us a chance to catch up with the news at Assumption after I had moved away. I agree with Marva that Sharon will set a few things straight in heaven! I will miss her.
Sharon was a delightful colleague when we worked together in the Washington State School Improvement Program in the early 2000’s. Shortly after, she surprised me by joining me as a bookseller at Barnes and Noble in University Village in her partial retirement. I was always impressed by her multitude of friends and the informative and enriching trips she took to Europe. In my visit with her just after she moved to her retirement community, I was pleased to see how quickly she became involved in the community’s social activities while handling her health concerns.
Sharon’s educational leadership was extensive. Frequently I picked her brain about how to deal with issues I was facing as I worked with my schools in improvement.
She leaves the legacy of a leader who modeled equity for all children and their teachers and administrators.