Sharon Heath Sarno

Sharon Kathlean Heath Sarno lived a life rooted in love, generosity, and quiet strength. She passed peacefully at her home in Lexington, North Carolina, on January 4, 2026, surrounded by the family and life she so deeply cherished.

Born on October 19, 1956, in Port Huron, Michigan, Sharon carried with her a warmth shaped by her Midwestern birth and her North Fort Myers, Florida upbringing—a warmth that never faded. She graduated from North Fort Myers High School, Class of 1974, where she was a cheerleader.  She earned an Associate’s degree and built a career centered on caring for others, ultimately retiring as a cafeteria kitchen manager at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. In that role, Sharon did far more than manage a kitchen; she created a place of comfort, nourishment, and kindness for countless students, faculty, and colleagues.

Family was at the heart of Sharon’s world. She shared a devoted life with her loving husband, Gerald “Bud” Sarno of 37 years. She was a proud and loving mother to John Pilkington and James Pilkington, and a devoted stepmother to Robert Sarno and his wife Jody and Tom Sarno and his wife Karen. To her children, Sharon was a steady and reassuring presence—supportive, encouraging, and always there when needed, often arriving with a tray of cookies or a cheesecake in hand.

Sharon’s joy grew even greater through her nine grandchildren: Edward, Brecklyn, Gavin, and Preston Pilkington; and Reid, Kyle, Nicholas, Andrew, and Clayton Sarno. She was also blessed with six great-grandchildren—Knox, Knash, Kolbie, Hunter, Nora, and Kendal Sarno—who brought her immense pride and happiness. She delighted in celebrating their accomplishments and was proud to be known as “the fun Grandma Sharon”.

She is lovingly remembered by her mother, Patricia Winkler Heath; her sisters, Susan Calhoun, Laura Amann, and Nancy Zukaitis and husband Mike, with whom she shared a lifetime of memories, laughter, and enduring bonds. Sharon was preceded in death by her father, Ernest Norman Heath, and her sister, Lynda McNeil—each of whom helped shape the values she carried forward with grace.

Sharon will be remembered as a woman of kindness, devotion, and quiet resilience—someone who made people feel cared for simply by being present. The joy she shared with friends at yoga, at pontoon boat tie ups on the lake, and at worship gatherings in her faith community are examples of how her love will live on in the family she built, the meals she shared, the laughter she sparked, and the many lives she touched.

Those wishing to honor Sharon’s memory may do so through memorial tributes or contributions to the Humane Society of Davidson County, reflecting her lifelong love of animals—especially her beloved Boykin Spaniel, Coco.

A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held on January 31st at 11AM at Macedonia United Methodist Church in Southmont, North Carolina.