Sharon died peacefully in her home surrounded by her children, November 22, 2024.
Born in Coquille, OR to Harry & Marjorie Hickam. Sharon lived in Estacada Oregon where she and her 1st husband Donald Reed built their home together. At the young age of 17, they celebrated the birth of their twin daughters, Donna & Debbie. The loss of her mother in an automobile accident on the beach left her raising her twins without a Mom to reach out to for help. Mike came a few years later, followed by Colleen. Together they shared hunting, fishing, trips to the beach, clam digging and family gatherings. Don was a hard worker, owning and operating his Logging company Reed logging. Together they worked hard and played hard. Their marriage ended after many years…possibly due to him bringing home a scorpion in his lunch box to her surprise. Quite the practical joker!
Sharon met and married Gene Henshaw, her 2nd husband, and brought our wonderful brother Doug into the world. She was thankful to have a second son to balance out the estrogen of the 3 girls. Mom and Gene traveled a lot and enjoyed life to its fullest. Together they brought their combined families, and it was the Brady Bunch all over again. Family meant the world to her. However, all good things must come to an end.
3rd times a charm…she met and married Rodger Landers. Together they enjoyed traveling the country with their trucking business. They enjoyed spending time in Arizona and enjoyed her sister Shirley and Brother-in-law Harvey coming to visit. She, Rodger and her kids all enjoyed meeting up to go fishing outside of Newport. It was always a fun contest to see who would catch the first and the most fish. She loved seafood almost more than family and greatly appreciated it when Shirley or one of us kids brought her oysters or fresh crab.
She and her sister Shirley had their 3 youngest daughters at about the same time. Shirley adopted Colleen during the summers, which meant a lot to Sharon as the 3 girls, Lori, Lisa & Colleen grew up very close, picking berries and pulling tansy. Sharon was appreciative of that and her relationship with her sister. Unfortunately, she lost her father Harry during this period.
Sharon lived most of her life in Salem Oregon where she opened her antique business "This And That." She put her heart and soul into the business. During this time, she experienced one of life's most difficult losses when her son Mike passed away. She said you shouldn't lose a child before a parent. But she was one tough cookie and somehow persevered. It was in Salem at her last residence where she met her dear friend Retta and they were friends for 20 years. Her friendship meant a lot to her as she lived solo these years.
Anyone who knew Sharon knew her kids meant the world to her. (Almost as much as her dogs Sammy and Lacy who she wanted to be buried with. They didn't back talk.) She and her kids had an annual tradition of going to Lincoln City, staying at their favorite spot on the oceanfront. She loved going to the casino, especially for all you can eat seafood buffet.
Mom enjoyed gardening, quilting, playing pinochle, reading, sudoku, finding treasures at estate sales, Rickreall & Coburg antique sales of which her girls and sister helped for many years. The big annual Coburg sale was her favorite where hundreds of vendors set up shops to sell their treasures. Her sister and daughters helped her for many years, and it was apparent in the last few years that she would not be able to continue doing it as it took too much out of her due to her declining health. Every year, she would tell her regular clients that this was her last year. She said that for at least 3 or 4 years as she loved it so much and didn't want to give it up…but sadly her health declined.
She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Ryan, Nick, Adam, Krystal, Jordan, Nolan, Carson, Lincoln, Carter, Kennedy & Morgan.
Many of you in this room helped Mom in one way or another, whether it was painting her home, vacuuming her rug, cleaning out the cat box, repairing something in her home, helping with yardwork, opening and closing her blinds daily, feeding Zena or just coming to visit. She greatly appreciated the support and help from family, kids, grandchildren, great grandchildren, spouses, partners and friends. As her health declined, the visits were less enjoyable for her. She loved the phone calls and pictures and loved her family even though she wasn't present.
Mom was strong, smart, loving, particular, and she wanted things done a certain way. Down to her final days…she did it her way.
She is survived by children Donna Metzler, Deborah Thomas, Colleen Golden and Douglas Henshaw. stepchildren Greg Henshaw, Sharon Harness, Debbie Henshaw (deceased) & Curtis Landers. 7 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, sister Shirley Simi & husband Harvey. She's preceded in death by her parents and son Michael Reed.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Public Broadcasting, Meals on Wheels & Willamette Vital Health Hospice.