Shari Severin, 65, of Johnstown, Colorado died peacefully at home September 1, 2015.
Shari Gayle Severin was born August 20, 1950 in Akron Colorado to Richard R. (Pete) Severin and Billie Mae (Kincheloe) Severin. Shari was the youngest of 5 children. Shari attended school in Akron, where she graduated in 1968. Growing up as the youngest she was often spoiled and the recipient of experimental haircuts by her sister and extensive teasing from her brothers. In her childhood she often would take her younger cousins to the movie theatre, or just out to play. Shari dearly loved all of her aunts, uncles, and cousins. She would often reminiscence about her favorite memories and stories of each and every one in her family.
Shari married Larry Anderson, to which two daughters were born: Melanie and Daniell. The girls meant everything to Shari. When the girls were younger she could often be found at the swimming pool with them, under a homemade blanket tent having a tea party, picking strawberries, trips to the zoo, or on some type of adventure, oftentimes as a large group including her siblings and nieces and nephews. Shari and her girls shared many inside jokes and giggles from the many antics with their mother. When times were tough, she was known to tell her girls "keep your chin up, and your chest out."
Shari lived and worked in Lakewood, Colorado for many years as a bookkeeper for Bell Surveying Company. She eventually moved to North Carolina, where she owned a bookkeeping business. While in North Carolina she gathered a large group of friends and they would get together every Friday for conversation and fellowship that she affectionately referred to the evening as "Hen Pecking". She loved all of her North Carolina friends dearly, and referred to two very special ladies as her North Carolina girls. While living in North Carolina, Shari enjoyed golfing, site-seeing, and camping. Some of her most treasured memories were camping with her beloved friend Annie Quigley and her North Carolina girls. Shari also enjoyed anytime family from Colorado would come to visit her. Her daughters fondly remember some of the fun adventures they had while in North Carolina.
In 2009, Shari returned to her beloved Colorado to be closer to her daughters, grandchildren, and family. She was always eager for a family reunion. Shari treasured the time she spent with her precious grandbabies. Molly and Tara were very special to her and she loved getting her gramma time with them. She enjoyed watching their school functions and cheering them on in sports. Shari loved to have Molly chauffer her around, which Molly loved as well as she got to drive Grandma's car. Molly will always fondly remember getting to play in golf league with her and the time Molly hit a snake and Grandma Shari screamed. Shari and Tara shared the special gift of music that will continue to live on through Tara. Although Danielle and Garrett were not her biological grandchildren, she embraced the opportunity to give them love only a grandma can give. Shari never considered them anything other than her own grandkids. She attended many of their school and sport activities and could often be heard on the sidelines of Garrett's football and baseball games cheering him on. She also would spend some time with Danielle talking about whatever Danielle wanted to, which was usually horses. She loved to spoil all her grandchildren and would often have little surprise gifts for them. Shari was proud of each and every one of her grandchildren and boasted about them to everyone.
Humor was a big part of Shari's life. She loved to share jokes and was known to prank her family members. She enjoyed sharing with others the many times that she "pulled one over" on her sons-in-law or pulled a good prank on her nieces and nephews. Her favorite prank to tell everyone was the time she cut up her nephew's licorice into tiny pieces. Her sly grin after a good joke or successful prank will be missed. She will be fondly remembered by her girls for all of her "Moms" which generally included switching the first letters around in two words as well as her walking misadventures.
Shari was an avid golfer and could be found hitting the links when the sun was shining and the weather was cooperative. She played in many golf tournaments throughout the years, even playing with her daughters, granddaughter, siblings, and father in various leagues and tournaments. There was always a funny story at the end of the day when you would golf with her. She loved to end her evening visiting with family and friends in the clubhouse after a day out on the course talking about a great putt or a long drive.
Shari also enjoyed singing. Shari and her siblings sang together on many occasions while accompanied by their mother. The four of them made a great quartet. One of her proudest moments was singing at the Methodist Church, with her siblings and daughter Daniell, while being accompanied by her mother Billie Mae and daughter Melanie. When she returned to Colorado, she joined the Community Choir in Akron. She loved to sing in the bi-annual Cantatas and even had the pleasure of performing with her daughters and granddaughter Tara in one Cantata performance. She always had such great pride in how well the Choir would sound.
Yorkshire terriers were another passion in Shari's life. She loved and adored her first Yorkie, Putz. After his death and her return to Colorado, she soon had two more Yorkies in her home to fill her home and life with joy.
When Shari returned to Colorado she met Bill. He treated her as his queen and Bill brought her great happiness and joy. They would spend hours visiting with each other and planning their future together. Shari loved Bill immensely and enjoyed spending time with him attending dinner theatres, concerts, plays, and any other function they decided they would enjoy together. They were best friends. Shari would often confess her love for Bill and how well he treated her.
Shari is preceded in death by her mother, Billie Mae, infant sister, Christine, Uncles, Aunts, and some very close friends she called her chosen family.
She is survived by her significant other Bill Houtz; daughters, Melanie Anderson and Spencer, Daniell Thomson and Bruce; stepson Trent Helms; grandchildren, Molly Chadwick, Tara Chadwick, Danielle Winter, and Garrett Winter; father Richard (Pete) Severin; sister Barbara Noble and Lanny; brothers Dick Severin and Michelle, Warren Severin and Cheryle; nieces and nephews Rich Noble and Jenny, Bill Severin and Julie, Wes Severin and Stacy, Amy Severin, Ryan Noble and Ronella, Paige Severin, Blair Severin, and Kayla Miles and Mike; a multitude of great-nieces and nephews, and one great-great niece; numerous Uncles and Aunts; several cousins; and her North Carolina daughters Tammy Redmond and Lynette Gaillard and countless chosen family members. Shari will be greatly missed.
A memorial service was held Monday, September 7 at the United Methodist Church in Akron. Memorials may be made to Shari's family to benefit the Yorkshire Terrier Rescue and the Akron High School Music Program.
Rest easy, Momma, you fought the good fight.