Barbara Joan Sharp

1937 - 2025

Barbara Joan Sharp

November 20, 1937 - March 23, 2025

Modesto, California - On Sunday, March 23rd, Barbara "Bobbi" Sharp a brave, stubborn, social connection connoisseur - left behind this world and a body that had betrayed her for years.

Bobbi was born in San Francisco and grew up in San Mateo, CA, the oldest of four children of Gus and Rose Ward.

Bobbi attended San Mateo High School (Cass of 1955), and San Jose State University (Class of 1960).

In 1960, she married the love of her life, Jim Sharp. They were married for 62 blissful years before Jim passed away in 2023. They raised their family in San Mateo, Rancho Cordova, Connecticut, and Nevada, but primarily in Modesto, CA. Jim treated Bobbi like a Queen, and when he talked about Bobbi, he always referred to her as "My Bride." When Jim talked to Bobbi, he always called her "Angel."

In 1984 Bobbi & Jim founded Hazard Management Services, a successful hazardous materials consulting firm that enjoyed a stellar reputation in California and beyond. Before that, she worked many years in various administrative capacities at Modesto Junior College.

Bobbi was a team-mom, score keeper, snack-bar worker, and number one fan (often the loudest fan as well) for every team Jim coached at Bel Passi, the local little league program.

Bobbi took up skiing at the age of 40. She was mostly an occasional casual jogger, but she entered and won the Big Sur 5k at the age of 75. She was an excellent cook whose recipes live on with her children, grandchildren, and via "Food Security" classes at Saint Mary's College. She could carry a conversation with absolutely anyone she ever met, and she always wanted to be the last one to leave a party.

We, her family, know three things:

1.That we are going to miss her terribly.

2.That we are so happy she no longer suffers the shackles of a disease that did not let her speak and a body that would no longer allow her to leave the confines of a bed.

3.That she is finally back with her groom, our dad, Jim, (and they are dancing), and laughing with her best friend Hazel, and hugging her mother and father, and her brothers Ken and Rich.

She is survived by her children: James Sharp, Michael Sharp (Eileen) and Jennifer Hartmann, as well as five grandchildren, and her brother, Kevin Ward.

As Bobbi wished, services for her will be held at St. Gregory Church in San Mateo where she attended church as a child, limited to family and a few close friends. She also requested for the family to gather for an "Irish Wake" at her childhood home in San Mateo.

There will be a toast to Bobbi on Sunday April 27th, at 3:30 p.m. where anyone anywhere can raise a glass to Bobbi and say their goodbyes. Anyone that wishes to send a message about what Bobbi meant to them, or to say something to the family, can send it via e-mail to sharpmc01@gmail.com and the message will be read at the Wake.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to your local hospice or Alzheimer's/dementia non-profit.