Sharon Blankenship

Sharon Blankenship

Sharon Blankenship, age 84, of Petersburg, MI passed away peacefully January 18, 2022 of natural causes.

The world lost a one-of-a-kind lady. In her long, but still too short life, Sharon touched many hearts. She met the love of her life, Gary, in first grade. He caught her eye while in class together and sealed the deal by putting bubble gum in her long, braided hair. They reconnected when in high school and were together for 64 years, sharing many of life's ups and a few downs.

Sharon was a lifelong educator, beginning her career as an elementary school teacher in the Kalamazoo, area, then relocating to Bedford Public Schools where she taught several elementary grades, became a reading specialist and earned a Master's degree in school psychology. She finished her career as a school psychologist at Washington Local (Ohio) Schools from which she retired.

After retiring, Sharon wrote children's stories, volunteered as a CASA, and promoted rescuing her favorite breed of dog, Weimaraners. Working with local rescue groups, she fostered and found forever homes for dozens of them. Her love for dogs led her to volunteer at Humane Ohio where she most enjoyed comforting pets as they awoke from anesthesia. Sharon enjoyed attending Silver Sneakers classes at the YMCA with her friends, The Goddesses. She was an avid reader and would lovingly share her books with anyone who didn't mind the occasional coffee stain or cookie crumb.

Sharon had a big heart, a big sense of humor, and an even bigger love of coffee. She would most likely spill some on you if you were near her when she had coffee in hand. Her favorite place to meet friends was Starbucks, where she would order a "tall blonde," causing nearby heads to turn. Surely all local coffee shops will miss her almost as much as her family.

Sharon was a gifted baker, specializing in apple and pumpkin pies. That being the extent of her cooking skills, she believed in overcooking most food until it was charred beyond recognition. She was notorious for serving her family UFOs = unidentified frying objects. It quickly motivated her children to learn to cook for themselves. If anyone would like a copy of her recipes, we would suggest you rethink that request.

Sharon Blankenship is survived by her husband, Gary; sons, Dan and Dennis; daughter, Daneen; grandchildren, Shannon, Jeffrey, Britney, Nik, Quill, Ian and great-grandson, Arthur. She was preceded in death by her parents, and an infant sister.

The family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date.

The family requests that you treat all of your pets as family with love and kindness and spoil them as much as Sharon would have. Memorial contributions may be made to The Humane Society of Monroe County (Michigan) or Humane Ohio.