Sharon Gene Gordon peacefully passed away on March 8, 2024, with her family by her side. The following morning, her daughter discovered her self-written obituary tucked inside her bible. Please enjoy Sharon's chronicle of her love and life (verbatim)…

I BLINKED

It pains me to admit it, but apparently, I have passed away. Everyone says it will happen one day. That's not something anyone wants to hear or experience. Once again, I didn't get things my way! That's been the story of my life, all of my life. And while I'm on that subject (the story of my life)…

…On May 6, 1952, my parents and older sister, Susan Gayle Petersen, celebrated my birth in Spokane, WA. I was introduced to all as Sharon Gene (my father's first name) Petersen, the daughter of Gene Floyd Petersen and Virginia Louise Lee Petersen. That happened the beginning of the half of the last century. Sixteen months later, a boy was born…Richard Wallace Petersen; named after both of my grandpas. Also known as Rub.

So many things in my life seemed of little significance at the time they happened, but took on a greater importance as I got older. The memories I'm taking with me now are so precious and have more value than all the gold and silver in my jewelry box.

Memories…I remember my mom and grandmas wearing aprons and baking bread, cookies, pies, and cakes. I remember going fishing with my grandpas (Wallace Alva Lee and Richard George Petersen…also known as Poppy). My dad, Pete (the MacGyver) drinking beer. I remember Sue blowing up an innertube tire in my face after disassembling her bike that was never put back together again. I remember Rub sleepwalking in our closet at night and peeing in it. I remember Grandma Bonita (Bonnie) Merle Seward raising gardens and chickens and, in the end, selling Stanley. I remember being a cheerleader in middle school. I remember putting flowers on doorsteps, ringing the bells and running away on May Day. I remember the smell of newly cut grass. Oh! And I remember being voted Miss Turkey Legs my junior year in High School at North Central High in Spokane, WA. The same school my Grandpa Wally attended. Although when I went there the fourth floor was condemned.

I married the man of my dreams on October 21, 1972 and from that day on, I became Mrs. Michael Clair Gordon. If you saw his signature, you wouldn't or couldn't read it. I always said they ask for my signature just to figure out his. Our plan was to have a girl and a boy. Inexplicably we were successful. Our daughter, Crystal Dawn was born February 5, 1978. Our son, Brice Derek was born April 29, 1980, both in Pocatello, ID. Watching these two grow brought a wonderful sense of meaning to our lives.

This might be a time to mend fences. I apologize to Crissie for making her a black and white clown for Halloween and then a black and white nun the next Halloween. She said, "I don't want to be black and white anything again!" So the next year I made her a gold angel. To Brice…the mohawk haircut (that lasted one day). It wasn't so cool in the day.

Just when I thought I could never fall in love again, I became a grandmother and two grand angels stole not only my heart, but EVERY penny in my pocket when I had it. Reese Clair and Hunter (Louie) Herbert Woods have enriched my life more than words can say. Them trying to teach me to "Floss" (the dance)…I thought I got it, they just laughed. And there were many more dances. Reese, all of her sports and taking me ice skating by pulling me with hockey sticks.

Louie, oh my gosh! Where do I begin? Making me a Christmas tree topper star out of a piece of foil and cardboard (he is also a MacGyver like his Grandpa Herb Woods). Taking me 4-wheeling in below freezing weather going down steep hills! Something he told me he wouldn't do to Grandma Eloise (Woods). These are treasures and irreplaceable and will go with me through eternity.

Jason (Woods), the most wonderful father to his kids, not to mention, son in law. Brice has no kids that we know. If one happens to ring Grandpa and Grandma's doorbell I won't be there to answer. I wish I could.

I aimed to be a true and loyal friend and a spoiling grandma. And if you don't believe me, just ask me. Oh wait! I'm afraid it's too late for questions. Sorry…so I was born, blinked, and the party was over. No buildings were named after me, no monuments erected in my honor, but I did have a chance to know and to love each and every friend as well as all my family members. How much more blessed can a person be? So in the end, remember…do your best, follow your arrow, and make something amazing out of your life. I did. My kids. OH! And never stop smiling.

If you want to, you can look for me in the evening sunset or with the earliest spring daffodils, or also with the flitter, fluttering of butterflies in the morning.

You know I will be there in one form or another. Of course that may comfort some while antagonizing to others, but you know me…it's what I do.

I'll leave you with this…Please don't cry because I'm gone. Instead, be happy I was here. You can cry a little bit. After all, I have passed away.

Today I am happy and dancing, probably naked…for sure without a bra on.

Love you ALL and Forever!

*A celebration of life event is being planned for later in the spring.