After a long journey with dementia, our beloved Mom reunited with our Dad in Heaven on April 9th, one day after what would have been their 70th wedding anniversary. While we will miss her enormously, we are grateful that she is now at peace and in the presence of Jesus!
Sharon Lois Hayden was born the youngest of four in August 1937 to Florence Helen Hayden and Lester Raymond Hayden. They lived in Three Lynx, Oregon where Florence was a homemaker and Lester worked for PGE. When she was six, the family moved to Estacada.
As a teenager, mom worked for Estacada Telephone and Telegraph as a switchboard operator. At Estacada High School she was a cheerleader, played the trombone in concert band, was on the yearbook committee, and active in student government.
Her sophomore year in high school, she met a handsome young classmate named Jim Weston-and the rest is history! After graduation the two would go on to marry and start a family together, having two sons, Jay and Jan, and later daughter Jeni. Mom was devoted to Dad and was a loving and supportive wife.
She played praise music and hymns on the organ and piano while singing softly along, made macrame, read mountains of Louis L'amour and other cowboy novels, made the world's most delicious cherry pies and chocolate chip cookies, and was the best Grandma and Great-Grandma a kid could ever have. Some people look forward to travel and other leisure pursuits when they reach a certain age.. mom only wanted to live near, stay close to, care for, feed and entertain her Grandkids.
She loved unconditionally and fiercely. She was always home, always there, always ready with a big hug and some cookie dough..
Mom's love for Jesus was constant and strong. She would sit quietly in the morning where she had daily devotions and prayer for family and friends, and attended Church every Sunday almost until the end. We know she is with Him today and that makes her passing more bearable. For years she taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and volunteered for the Bible Release Time program for over 30 years where grade school children received an hour a week of Bible instruction, snacks and fun. Mom loved this program and surely many little ones heard about the Lord for the first time because of her.
Sharon was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jim in 2016. She is survived by her three children, Jay (Helen), Jan (Leann), and Jeni (Dave); four Grandchildren, Josh (Teresa), Jacob (Amanda), Hayes, and Cade; and five Great-Grandchildren, Jocelyn, James, Jonathan, Elijah, and Holland; brother Nick Hayden (Delores), and many nieces and nephews.
At her request, there will not be a memorial service. Instead, those she touched with her gentleness, kindness and love are asked to just remember her fondly.
In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity
God Bless.