Sharon Lee Hutchinson

Sharon Lee Hutchinson was born on September 20, 1946 in Stayton, Oregon to Franklin Nicholas Scharbach and Lorna “Jean” Starett Specht. She grew up in various small towns in Oregon including Blue River and Mill City. She attended Sanitam High School. Her first son Randy was born during this time, and Sharon found herself living with extended family and working in a restaurant to support herself and her newborn son. It was then she met and married Don Hutchinson who is the son of Eldon and Grace Hutchinson. She and Don married on September 4, 1965 and Don adopted Randy as his own. Her second son, Roger, died shortly after childbirth in 1966 and rests next to Sharon’s gravesite. Their son Rodney was born in 1969. About 12 years later, Sharon returned to school and earned her GED from Linn-Benton Community College where, over several years time, she studied a broad range of classes that sparked her interest. She eventually owned and operated her own house keeping business. Her clients were loyal to her to the day she retired, many becoming extended family. Her most important job in life was that of a mother and wife. She was a loving mother to her sons, Randy and Rodney, always placing family above all else, and devoted wife to Don. When she was blessed to become a grandmother she loved spending time with her grandchildren. She most especially treasured her time with her granddaughter Grace. They spent many hours together sewing, fishing, camping, cooking, and a just being silly. Throughout her life, Sharon loved country music and line dancing. Her favorite group was Brooks and Dunn and she was lucky to see them several times in concert. For many years, Sharon attended the Sweet Home Jamboree. Sharon also had a big heart for animals and over the years cared for and loved many dogs, cats, sheep, goats, a few horses, and even two muloccan cockatoos. Her birds were very special to her, but, unfortunately, her declining health required her to rehome them. In 2014, Sharon received a life saving, last minute lung transplant in Washington. She was able to come home six months later and attend the wedding services of her son and new daughter-in-law, the first trip her doctors allowed post transplant. Sharon was a fan of the Atlanta Braves all through the 90’s and later would also become a fan of the Seattle Mariners and Seattle Seahawks. She was always rooting for the Oregon State Beavers. Besides baseball and football, Sharon was an avid NASCAR fan. On February 1, 2023, Sharon passed away in Lebanon, Oregon. She was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers Gary Scharbach and Terry Scharbach. Sharon is survived by; her husband Don, sons Randy and Rodney, daughter-in-law Heather, sister Beverly, brother Rick, grandchildren Grace and Cooper, and many loved nephews, nieces, and cousins.