Sharon Marie Blake passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley, Wash. She had been fighting lung cancer and had developed complications from pneumonia and a ruptured gallbladder.  

Sharon is survived by her daughter, Shawnie Spang; her sons, Tony and Johnny Petraborg; five grandchildren, Garrett Rose and Stacey, Liam, Nicolas and Logan Petraborg; her mother, Pauline Young; her sister, Marilyn Harrett; her brothers, Chuck and Gary Young; and her longtime partner, Wallace Chamberlin.   

She was born Sharon Marie Young in Seattle, the daughter of Charles and Pauline Young. She graduated from Lincoln High School and went on to study cosmetology at the University of Washington. She lived in San Francisco, Ballard, Whidbey Island, Fauntleroy and, finally, settled on Lopez Island for the last 40 years of her life.

Sharon and Connie Buss opened “The Mop Shop,” which was the first hair salon to open on the island. Eventually, she opened her own business and enjoyed styling hair for more than 35 years. For most of her life she was a single, hard-working mother of 3. She briefly remarried in 1977 to Vernon Blake, and then was widowed in 1982. Wallace had been her faithful companion for the last 15 years.

Sharon led a modest life, had a positive, strong-willed spirit and was the rock of her family and friends. Her life on Lopez was full of days at the beach, gardening, keeping up with her kids’ musical endeavors, sporting events, making jewelry, knitting, baking and planning events. The smell of fresh baked bread, cookies and pies always seemed to fill her house.

Family, friends and her prized garden were the most important to her. She had won many grand-champion ribbons for her roses, apples and other vegetables at the county fair. Sharon’s famous potato salad is known throughout the family.

Although she loved gardening and cooking, her children and grandchildren were the center of her life. She was very proud of them and bragged about often.

Sharon always wanted to help others and never wanted anyone to fuss over her. She remained positive, smiling and brave, till her last day. She will always be in our hearts!    

Private family services have been held. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share memories of Sharon and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com