Sharon Orton

Sharon Purdue Orton, 79, of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away on March 10, 2026, in Scottsdale, Arizona, surrounded by her loved ones.

She was born on January 17, 1947, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Paul Purdue and Louise Baldwin Purdue. Sharon grew up in Salt Lake City and attended Highland High School, graduating in 1965. She briefly attended the University of Utah before marrying Kent Orton, on April 12, 1968. In her late 30s, demonstrating the determination and independence that defined her, Sharon returned to school and earned her nursing degree from Scottsdale Community College-an accomplishment she (and her family) was immensely proud of.

As a registered nurse, Sharon dedicated herself to caring for others and helped to open a new cancer care ward at HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea. She worked within the Scottsdale hospital system for many years before moving to Corpus Christi, Texas; there, she continued her career at Corpus Christi Medical Center, and was promoted to the leadership role of I.T. Director for five of the South Texas hospitals.

In her younger years, she won multiple beauty contests in Utah and Arizona and was also into various outdoor sports. While living in Utah she enjoyed skiing, and after moving to Arizona with her family in 1975 she traded in her skis for a tennis racket and became an avid tennis player. During the years she and Kent lived in Corpus Christi, Sharon also developed a passion for golf.

Sharon adored her children and did everything she could to make their childhoods magical and memorable. Sometimes that meant lovingly hand-sewn Halloween costumes and outfits for school plays; other times things didn't go quite according to plan-like the Easter when she unknowingly bought liquor-filled chocolates for the bunny to hide.

Sharon also served on the East Scottsdale Little League Board of Directors during the years her son, Danny, played Little League baseball. She was also a lifelong fan of Major League Baseball, especially the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs, often attending Spring Training games in Arizona and occasionally traveling to see games in their home cities. She also had an uncanny (and annoying) knack for winning the family's annual World Series pool, managing to claim most of the 7-game prize pot year after year.

Sharon also loved music, musicals, and Broadway shows, and rarely passed up a chance to sing along-though those close to her might say the enthusiasm outpaced the vocal talent. On one memorable trip to Laughlin, Nevada, she and her sisters bravely took the karaoke stage. Rather than bringing down the house, however, they managed to clear the room, as dozens of patrons fled during their performance.

Travel was another joy in Sharon's life. She visited many places across the United States and internationally, including favorites such as Boston, New York City, Savannah, and Chicago. One of the most special trips came in celebration of her and Kent's 50th wedding anniversary, when Sharon traveled to Paris with Kent, her daughter Kristen, and granddaughter Luca for a trip filled with croissants, chocolate, escargot, wine, and all the sights of Paris.

Sharon had a gift for playful banter and loved giving people the business. Her good-natured ribbing was legendary-she could tease just about anyone, and somehow the more she dished out, the more people laughed and loved her for it.

Sharon will be remembered as intelligent, resourceful, and outspoken-someone who spoke her mind, cared deeply for her family, and approached life with conviction and tenacity.

She was preceded in death by her son, Daniel Orton; her parents, Paul and Louise Purdue; and her sister, Connie Astin. Sharon is survived by her loving husband of nearly 58 years, Kent Orton; her daughter, Kristen Orton; her granddaughter, Luca Collins; and her sisters, Janet Call (Clint) and Barbara Revene (Bill), along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Sharon's life will be held at a later date, to be determined.