Sharon Lee Wamsley
July 30, 1937 - February 28, 2007
Obituary
Beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and cousin, she was born Sharon Lee Garton in Seattle, WA July 30, 1937, daughter of Alex and Virginia Garton. She passed peacefully at home on February 28, 2007, quite unexpectedly from heart failure.
She had lived in the area all of her life, attending school in Columbia City, and graduating from Franklin High School in 1956. Wed in January, 1959, Sharon was married to Garry Wamsley for 24 years. She had lived in Federal Way for the last 12 years.
Sharon made many friends working at the Western Farmers Assoc., Pac Car Co., McLenaghans Glass Co., and for twenty years at the Hallmark Party Center stores. Also through all her volunteerism and activities with Children’s Orthopedic Hospital Guild; Campfire; the school lunch program, and bingo at St. Anthony’s of Renton; and for the last 5 years giving to the Homeless Sandwich program and helping 4-year olds at Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at St. Theresa’s of F.W. Her calendar was filled through the years with dates to meet Square Dance, Bridge Club, Birthday Club, quilting or friend’s social events.
She lived to give – she usually arrived with a food gift– and her home is full of over a hundred cookbooks to find that perfect recipe to make for us. She lived to make birthdays, Christmas, the annual Easter Egg Hunt, and friend and family events memorable. And she gifted us with cards at all occasions and cherished those sent to her.
Sharon was loved and devoted to her family and is survived by her 3 sons, David Kimberley, Dale Christy and Dan Lori Wamsley; 4 granddaughters, Jennifer Wamsley, Devin Soto, Amanda Wamsley, and Demie Wamsley; 1 grandson Brandon Soto; brother, Richard Karin Garton; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, related and “adopted”. Sharon built her life around family and friends. Her warmth, kindness and positive outlook on life will truly be missed by all.
A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held on Saturday, March 17th, 2007 at 11:00 am at BONNEY-WATSON Washington Memorial, 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac, WA 206 242-1787. The family prefers memorial contributions be made to KCTS, Channel 9, Seattle, WA.
Some of Sharon’s Favorite Poems
I AM FREE
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.
I’m following the path God has laid, you see.
I took His hand when I heard Him call,
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day –
To laugh, to love, to work, or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
I found that peace at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joys.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Oh yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I’ve savored much –
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief.
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and peace to thee.
God wanted me now; He set me free!
Author Unknown
IRISH BLESSING
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the Palm of His hand.
HOW DO YOU LIVE YOUR DASH –
I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her gravestone
From the beginning – to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth,
And he spoke the following date with tears.
But he said that what mattered the most of all,
Was the dash between the years. 1937 – 2007
For the dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth,
And now only those who loved her
Know what that line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own –
The cars, the house, the cash.
What really matters is how we live and love,
And how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard:
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real,
And always try to understand
The way that others feel.
And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more,
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved them before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile.
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy’s being read
With our life actions to rehash…
Would you be proud of the things they say,
About how you spent your dash.
Author Unknown
We Are a Family
Since before any of us were born, God planned for us to share our lives with each other.
He knew exactly how our strengths and weaknesses would balance one another, and the depth of love, understanding, and commitment we would learn to feel.
He knew that the richness of our separate characters would be developed through the hard times, and that mutual trust and respect would be born as a result of overcoming the trials together.
He knew that we would laugh together, and cry together.
He knew we needed each other… to hug, to help, to teach, to serve… to love.
Friendship
Friendship is a promise two people come to share,
To be there for each other, no matter when or where,
And through life’s endless changes, the slow ones and the swift,
The friend that you can count on is a blessing and a gift.
Promised Roses
by Linda M. Oliver
God never promised roses
Strewn along the way
He never promised angels
To cross our path each day
He never made a promise
Of night without a tear
Sunlight always shining
And no storm for us to fear
God never promised us
A life without some pain
He never promised us
Great Riches we would gain
He promised us a refuge
Beneath His gentle wing
And in the midnight hour
A victory song to sing
He promised us a Home
If only faithful we would stay
Forever promised roses
Strewn along the way
Each Life Affects Another
We may not always realize
that everything we do
Affects not only our lives
but touches others, too.
A single happy smile
can always brighten up the day
For anyone who happens
to be passing by your way,
And a little bit of thoughtfulness
that shows someone you care
Creates a ray of sunshine
for both of you to share – –
Yes, every time you offer
someone a helping hand,
Every time you show a friend
You care and understand,
Every time you have a kind
and gentle word to give,
You help someone find beauty
in this precious life we live,
For happiness brings happiness,
and loving ways bring love,
And giving is the treasure
that contentment is made of.
Amanda Bradley
My Christmas Card List
I have a list of folks I know, all written in a book
And every year at Christmas time I go and take a look.
And then is when I realize that these names are a part
Not of the book they’re written in but of my very heart.
For each name stands for someone who has crossed my path sometime
And in that meeting they’ve become the “rhythm of the rhyme”.
And while it sounds fantastic for me to make this claim
I really feel I am composed of each remembered name.
And while you may not be aware of any special link,
Just meeting you shaped my life more than you can think.
For once you’ve met somebody, the years cannot erase
The memory of a pleasant word or of a friendly face.
So never think my Christmas cards are just a mere routine
Of names upon a Christmas list forgotten in between.
For when I send a Christmas card that is addressed to you
It’s because you’re on that list of folks I am indebted to.
For we are but a total of the many folks we’ve met,
And you happen to be one of those I prefer not to forget.
And whether I have known you for many years or few
In some way you have had a part in shaping things I do.
And every year when Christmas comes I realize anew,
The biggest gift life can give is meeting folks like you.
And may the spirit of Christmas that forever and ever endures
Leave its richest blessings in the heart of you and yours.
Sharon you will be missed.
Remember the birthday get togethers and the card parties.
Although I did not know Sharon well, I share your sorrow.
Sharon was a very special part of our life and family … thank-you for all of the wonderful times and memories. You will be missed, but never forgotten! We Love You!
I want to express our deepest condolences to all the family from everyone at Hartung Glass.
A life too short, but a life filled with living, giving and love of family and friends. Sharon will be missed by all of us. Love, Al and Karen Curtin
We are saddened at the lost of Sharon and treasure our memories of her. Thank you informing us of her passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
How hard for us to miss you,we fight from being sad. Just know we’ll always be missed and loved. You have left your mark on so many lives eveyone will have you in our minds and also in our hearts.
to the wamsley family, we are so sorry for your loss. we remember sharon for her great smile and love of her family.we remember the camping trips and lonng beach.
ron and fran hanson
I will miss Sharon so very much. She made me feel so loved and she loved the music I shared with the preschoolers at St. Theresa.
I’ll have a hard time singing without her!
Such fond memories of you Sharon, a truly beautiful person. You have been a joy to know! Your giving and loving nature are rare and unforgettable. You will be missed by your family but also by everyone who knew you.
She spreads joy and love whereever she goes. She is selfless, kind and caring. She was an angel on earth going back home.
We share in your loss as we feel she was like a Mom to us too.
We are blessed to have share her life with you.
To the family and friends of Sharon,
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve the loss of Sharon.
Sharon and I were friends while attending Franklin High School. It has been many years since we have seen one another, but I had hoped to see her at last summer’s school reunion.
May the peace of our Lord be with you at this time.
~Nancy Byas
She was a valued member of our Class of ’56. She will be missed by us all. God Bless.