Page created by: Jerome Miller

Sharon Alice Miller passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of March 25, 2021 at her home in Rancho Mission Viejo after a 20 plus year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Sharon was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease just over 20 years ago. Fortunately, it was very slow progressing. But rather than feel sorry for herself she set about working as hard as she could to fight the disease. She was tireless in serving on boards and raising money to support both local and national organizations. Her concern was always more about others than herself. She worried about her family. She always made herself available to speak with newly diagnosed people who had obvious questions about their futures. She never complained or thought woe is me. She lived life fully and fought until the very end.

Sharon’s greatest joy was spending time with her six grandchildren. Her son Eric has three boys and daughter Kim has three girls. She loved it. She always looked forward to taking each of the grandkids shopping on their birthdays. It was a great way to show her love and spend quality time with them individually. And whether it was soccer or cheer or lacrosse she always looked forward to attending their games and competitions and rooting them on.

Sharon had a wonderful sense of humor. Oftentimes she would do or say something that caused those around her to laugh. But they were not laughing at her, they were laughing with her because nobody laughed harder at Sharon than Sharon. Her laugh was infectious.

In December 1984 Sharon took a temporary position with Taco Bell Corporation in Irvine. Little did she know then that that temporary position would lead to a highly successful 26-year career. Sharon felt the need to create a better career path to support her family so she began attending the University of Redlands at night in pursuit of her bachelor’s degree. In a testament to Sharon’s drive and determination she was able to work a demanding full-time job, get her degree, and buy a home, all while raising two children as a single mother.

Life is a journey. And it is not about where the journey ends but how you get there. In Sharon’s case her journey was hard, but she faced every obstacle with determination and that beautiful smile. Her legacy is in her two children and six grandchildren. And it is in all the people with Parkinson’s she helped along the way, either directly or indirectly. And it is in all of us who she touched so deeply. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.