Isabell Sharon

SHARON, Isabell May 1, 1942-July 7, 2003, author and Laidlaw bus driver. Isabell was active in the Bay Area feminist arts scene in the early 1970's. Her autobiographical work, Yesterday's Lessons, (Diana Press), was one of the first working class lesbian narratives to be published and widely distributed. She held a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from San Francisco State and dedicated her life to helping other women in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Isabell was also a dedicated volunteer at the Institute for the Musical Arts (IMA), a nonprofit dedicated to women musicians which had its first office in her home in Oakland, CA. Diagnosed with lung cancer and given six months to live in August of '02, Isabell set about preparing to have a good death and did just that, passing peacefully in her sleep at home. She is survived by many loving friends and relatives. Her memorial celebration will be held at the Sebastopol Community Center at 3pm on Sunday, July 27. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the IMA at PO Box 253, Bodega, CA 94922.