Sharon Louise Harbin

Sharon Louise Harbin, a vibrant spirit born on June 3, 1961, in Washington, DC, departed this earthly realm on January 17, 2025, leaving behind a tapestry woven with love, laughter, and cherished memories. As the daughter of Joan Harbin and the late Robert Harbin Jr., Sharon was shaped by a fiery determination and an infectious zest for life that echoed through every encounter.

Sharon's educational journey began at Northwestern High School in Adelphi, MD, where she graduated in the class of 1979. It was there that her tenacious spirit blossomed, leading her to a career that most recently took her to Altumint in Glenarden, MD, as a processor of speed camera data. As she navigated her professional life, it was her sassy charm and caring nature that drew others in like moths to a flame, her laughter resonating long after she left the room.

Family was the cornerstone of Sharon's existence. A daily companion to her mother, Joan, and a devoted mother to Vivian Cooper (Robert) and Robert Harbin III, her affection and care extended to her grand-pets: Ghost, Zucko, Dash, and Aries. They were the essence of her joy and the light in her days, each playful meow and wagging tail a testament to her nurturing spirit. Her sister, Bonnie Chaffee (Milo), and her niece, Krista Schaffer (Eric), shared in her laughter and her love, recalling moments that will forever be etched in their hearts. Sharon thrived in the warmth of family gatherings, often investing her time and affection in her great nieces and nephews, nurturing them with the same tender love that she had received as a child. 

Sharon's vibrant soul found solace in the sun-kissed shores of Ocean City, MD, where she would often escape to share beautiful moments with her best friend, Renee Bentz. Sharon's other joys in life were shopping, playing the lottery and cooking for family. 

Despite the shadows cast by life's challenges, including thirty years spent after recovering from a neurologic condition, Sharon faced her final battle with the same grace she had shown throughout her life. An acute recurring brain bleed not only challenged her but ultimately brought her family together in a profound act of love and selflessness. In a poignant decision, they chose to honor her legacy by allowing her to be a source of life for others—her liver, kidneys, and soft tissues gifted to those in need.

In her absence, the world has dimmed just a little, yet the echoes of her laughter and the warmth of her spirit linger on in the hearts of all who loved her. As those she leaves behind navigate the tapestry of life without her, they will forever hold close the memories of a woman who exemplified the beauty of living fully and the richness of loving deeply. Though her father, Robert Harbin Jr., her grandmother, Hazel Thompson, her grandfather, Charles Thompson Sr., her uncles, Allen and Charles (Jr.) Thompson, and her aunt and uncle, Caroline and Todd Ball, have all passed, Sharon's spirit intertwines with the legacy they left behind—a reminder of a family rich in love, memory, and connection.

Sharon Louise Harbin may have left this world, but her spirit will forever dance in the sunlit corners of cherished recollections and loving hearts.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday February 8, 2025 at the Phillips-Kleiner VFW Post 5627 in College Park, MD located at 5051 Branchville Road, College Park, MD 20740. Family, friends, and neighbors may drop in to pay respects between 2:00pm - 6:00pm. Photos and stories to be shared at 4:30pm for any who wish to contribute.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the PGSPCA for care of local animals or to the charity of your choice.