Obituary of Sharon Patricia Santos

Sharon Patricia Santos, age 86, died Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at home with the warm contact of good friends and her live-in son. The eldest child of Madge Alice (Daly) and Fred William Axe, Sharon delighted and entertained her parents early on with her intelligent, musical ear and its ability to repeat things beyond her understanding, such as radio news broadcasts, which, in her cheerful little girl voice, perhaps softened the news of an impending world war. Her Dad’s accumulation of classical records and books from grocery store promotions no doubt intrigued and captivated her, perhaps inspiring her desire to share by educating. The family moved with Dad’s job pursuits, from their origin and Sharon’s birthplace Lincoln, Nebraska, to Salida, Colorado, and ultimately Salinas, California, where she did her high school years and attended nearby junior college Hartnell. After completing her degree away at the University of the Pacific, Sharon returned home to Salinas, where she taught junior high school. A few happy years there inspired more education, so Sharon pursued studies at the University of Denver (CO), near where her father’s older sister Willa resided and worked, and gladly let Sharon live and laugh. It was in Sharon’s last few years that she again enjoyed watching one of Aunt Willie’s TV shows “The Price is Right”, this time watching, laughing, and commenting from their individual rooms with Tim. It was also while studying in Denver that future Love-of-Her-life Joe watched Sharon peruse the bulletin board notes as she entered the classroom in which they had a Sociology class. When Joe later told the story, he recalled telling himself “I want that smart, beautiful one.” They married on New Year’s Day 1960, which retrospectively and humorously turned out to be an anniversary celebration at home, since restaurants were typically closed after their New Year’s Eve events. Sharon and Joe began their family life immediately, birthing Tim later that year and Eric, four later, before the family moved with Joe’s career to Lompoc, California, El Reno, Oklahoma, and ultimately Morgantown, West Virginia. Shortly before the last move, Sharon had been invited to and initiated into her beloved philanthropic education women’s group, and the deep friendships cultivated in Morgantown’s chapters sustained her with love and affection through her last breath. Sharon was equally a loving counterpart in her book club, and before the painful loss of Joe, a local federal employee’s wives’ group. In retirement, Joe, and later Sharon - from working as a coordinating Research Assistant in the WVU College of Civil Engineering - were able to enjoy their home and expand its amenities, including installing a deck out the back door and later an adjacent one behind the garage. That, as well as a few road trips to aid Sharon’s family genealogy research, a trip to Joe’s birth state, Rhode Island, and several visits to their sons, highlighted early retirement for them. They also made a final home for Sharon’s Mother, who was welcomed by Mom’s friends. After her Mother’s death, Sharon and a few close friends began a weekly group breakfast, which Joe, who had been attending the men’s Bible study breakfast group he started, always asked about upon her return, as he followed all her activities supportively. Sharon’s wonderful, loving groups of friends supported her from the time of her Dearest Joe’s death through her own injurious fall outside her church and through her own physical and mental decline. She continued to attend Church and her organizations, eventually being provided regularly with rides to and from most happenings, thanks to several attentive friends. Eventually, organized visits from these many loving, caring friends were scheduled around Sharon’s late life, which had led to home hospice for care and eventual palliative comfort. Sharon was also comforted by and smiled in response to the loving visits and physical touch from friends as well as Tim during her last few days. Happy Sharon’s intellectual and uplifting conversation, her laughter, and especially her deep, spiritual care for her friends and loved ones, will be remembered and cherished by many. Surviving are sons Tim, and Eric and daughter-in-law Diana. A memorial will be conducted at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Morgantown on Sunday, July 23 at 3 pm. Organized floral donations are pending. Memorial charitable donations can be made to the local Meals on Wheels operation. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.