Sharon Eva Downey passed away on Monday, Dec. 16, 2019, after a lifelong fight against lupus and several years battling breast cancer. Her husband Ben and service dog “Jiggs” were at her side.
She was preceded in death by her father, Loren Marsh.
Sharon was born Jan. 3, 1957, in Portland, to Loren and Eva Marsh. She attended Washington Elementary School, Mount Vernon Christian and Lynden Christian High School, graduating with honors in 1975. She earned a bachelor’s degree in food sciences from Seattle Pacific University and a master’s in foods and nutrition from the University of Washington.
When her illness prevented her from working, she became a steward of the community, volunteering her time, knowledge and love to those around her. She ran a Cabbage Patch doll hospital for the neighborhood Latch Key girls, teaching and mentoring them. Sharon volunteered at the local senior homes, lecturing about the importance of foods and nutrition. Her heart was always in a place of service to her community.
She also enjoyed spending time with her husband and constant companion, Ben, taking long walks with their dogs, at her cabin in the woods near Marblemount.
Sharon was an avid crafter and quilter, greeting card designer, seamstress, puzzler and color analyst.
She is survived by her husband, William “Ben” Benson; her mother, Eva Anderson; brothers Robert (Nancy) Marsh of Vancouver, Washington, and David (Lisa) Marsh of Burlington; seven nieces and nephews, and numerous grand-nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, at Hawthorne Funeral Home, 1825 E. College Way, Mount Vernon.
