Recent Obituaries

Sharon Steinhart, 70, of Kent, WA, passed away at home April 20, 2019, after a long, painful, and debilitating battle with COPD. She was born in Indianapolis, IN, to John Glen Steinhart Jr. and Ann V. (Mitsch) Steinhart.

During Sharon’s college years she was a radiologic technician, with a degree in advanced diagnosis. She was a rad tech at Marion County General Hospital (now Wishard Memorial Hospital) in Indianapolis, and also was a rad tech in Germany for about a year. She earned several degrees from Indiana University, including a master in health administration from the I.U. School of Medicine, and worked most of her life in health care.

Among her many positions, she was a vice-president at Community Hospital of Indianapolis, administrator of Chicago (IL) VNA, geriatric care manager, and nursing home administrator. She was a past member of the American College of Hospital Administrators and the American College of Health Care Administrators. In Palm Beach County, FL, she retired from geriatric care and became an insurance specialist with State Farm, Marsh, and Quaker Special Risk. In heath care and in insurance, Sharon always worked to ensure the well being of the patient and client, which she believed was more important than financial gains for the company.

Her final retirement took her to Chicago, where she lived with her son and his family. There, she devoted most of her time and energy to helping to raise and care for her grandchildren. Lastly, she moved to Washington State, where her daughter and her family live.

She was a devoted mother to Jeff Burris (Natalie Leki-Albano) and Katherine J.S. Wesch (Mike Whale) and a loving grandmother to Nicole, Allison, and Salim. She was predeceased by her parents; a brother, John; and a sister, Kathy. She is also survived by stepdaughters Jessica Wesch and Stephanie Ferguson; brother, Jim (Sandee) Steinhart; sister, Maryann Steinhart (Pat Jordan); and sister-in-law, Connie Steinhart; a nephew, John B. (Christy) Steinhart; two great-nephews, Jack and Frank Steinhart; beloved cousins, and many wonderful friends. She was an ardent supporter of women’s rights, social equality, and the Night Ministry of Chicago, a cause she volunteered with and believed in deeply. Instead of flowers she asked that donations be made to the Night Ministry of Chicago:

https://thenightministry.ejoinme.org/MyPages/DonationPage/tabid/79631/Default.aspx

At her request, a public memorial service will not be held; the family will gather for a remembrance in her honor.

Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glint on snow. I am the sun on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush I am the swift, uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die. — Mary Elizabeth Frye