Sharon A. Long Sanden, 78, of Morehead City, N.C. and formerly of Warren, PA., died July 9, 2020 at Crystal Hope Hospice in Newport, NC after succumbing to a brief illness, with her beloved daughters at her side. She was born on May 22, 1942 in Warren, PA to the late Henry J. and Helen (Shultz) Long.
Sharon graduated in 1961 from Warren High School, then attended North Penn Beauty School. Following graduation, she was a beautician and then business owner in the Warren area for 42 years. After retiring Sharon moved to Morehead, N.C. in 2005 to be near the ocean to indulge a true passion of hers, swimming in the ocean, as often as possible.
While in Warren Sharon was an avid member of her community as a business owner, beautician, member of St. Joseph Church and the Warren Lioness Club. Sharon however, most adored her family which started with her 3 cherished daughters whom she shared with former spouse, James Lopez of Warren, PA. She never missed an opportunity to host friends and family for a rousing celebration or a game of cards. Sharon married her esteemed husband Herbert W. Sanden in Warren, PA on February 25, 1978 and the two enjoyed many adventures together including waterskiing on Chautauqua Lake, trips to Florida and renewing their vows after 20 happy years. Sharon could be seen at every 4th of July parade watching her children and then grandchildren as they proudly marched down Main Street, looking for her smiling face. She had a special way of making her family feel loved, greeting them with “Punky” and pinching their cheeks, well into their adult years. She brought a welcome smile to others whenever possible while golfing, dancing, playing pickle ball, but especially while spending time on the water. Sharon spent her time in Morehead City, with many friends playing pickle ball, kayaking, or her absolute favorite – swimming in the ocean.
In addition to her parents, Sharon was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert W. Sanden, her daughter Kenda (Lopez) Freeborough and her sister Helen (Long) Sykes.
Sharon is survived by two daughters of whom she loved dearly, Julie (Lopez) Williams, husband Craig, of Florence, S.C., and Carie Lopez Bumbarger, of Concord, N.C.; a brother, Thomas William “Bill” Long and wife, Beverly Jane, of Warren, PA. Grandchildren of whom she was immensely proud Kaeli Freeborough, Kelsi Freeborough, Halli (Williams) Jordan, Drew Williams, Tanner Williams, and Trevor Bumbarger and Great-granddaughter: Kenda Christeson as well as several nieces and nephews and many friends whom she treated as family.
We will all greatly miss her spirit and unending support and hope to show up to the world as she did, with love and kindness and a little bit of fun.
A Private Memorial Service will be conducted at the convenience of the family at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA. with Fr. Richard Tomasone, Pastor, officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Warren, PA. Those wishing to place memorials may do so through Amazing Grace Advocacy PO Box 7314 Concord, NC 28027 or a local Charity of One’s Choice. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com
So sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed your mom and Uncle Herb.
My deepest sympathy to your family … Sharon and Uncle Herb were always so gracious and kind, especially to my children … They welcomed us into Sharon’s shop as we watched the 4th of July parade and were so generous with snacks and refreshments … They all fondly remember those times …
While it has been many years since Uncle Herb passed, I feel a deep sense of loss … The two of them always seemed to be so very happy …
When I think of my friend Sharon one word comes to mind – love. How much she loved her family and how much they all love her. How she loved her friends, having fun, helping others. How she loved entertaining, kayaking, “her beach”, and making me laugh. How her life was filled with love and how I love that I knew her and that she was my friend.
Martha
So sorry. I will really miss our visits
So sorry. I will really miss our visits
When I think of Sharon, I think of all the fun we had when I lived in Warren. We lived in the same neighborhood, and ourchildren were the same ages and knew each other well. We did so much together and always enjoyed everything we did.
I hadn’t seen Sharon in some years, butI will miss just knowing she’s not here anymore. Love to all the family
Carrie, Julie and families..I can’t tell you all how much I well miss talking to Sharr, We had a good time together. I loved to hear her laugh. I am thinking about you all!! love Sally
I was an energetic, self-absorbed child in my early youth. As a result, there isn’t a lot of clarity surrounding my memories of Aunt Sharon growing up. What I do remember, is my Aunt being happy. Whether it was at family gatherings at our farm, or festive holiday get together’s, or attending the 4th of July parade, for me, Aunt Sharon’s presence meant that everything was going to be great. Looking back now, I can truly appreciate the positive influence she had on all of us. From the stash of Pepsi she kept in her fridge, to introducing me to baked chicken wings covered in Rice Crispies, she was always trying to do something that made you smile. Yet, the depth of her love was not fully known to me until I was much older, when my Mother was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Sharon, no longer a spring chicken, decided that she needed to be near her sister and help any way that she could. She left her home in South Carolina and traveled to Florida where she spent more than 3 months with my Mom, helping her cope with her diagnosis and treatment. No other friend or family member even came close to providing the level of commitment or care my Aunt Sharon bestowed upon our family. For this, I know my Mother was extremely grateful; as was my entire family. But my family was not the only one to know the love of Sharon. If you were to ask those who knew her, friends or family, you would find that her dedication to those around her, her quirky sense of humor and the depth of her love were gifts she gave to everyone. For this, I am eternally grateful. She was an angel in our midst and I wish she would pinch my cheeks just one more time.
To Sharon’s family, she will be missed. We had good walks together, and dinners with our friends.RIP