Sharon Sergeant

Sharon Ann (Hubbell) Sergeant of Portage passed away peacefully on Monday, March 30, 2020, at Rose Arbor Hospice as a wild deer peeked in her window.

Beloved Mother, Grandmother and Friend, Sharon is survived by her three children: Julie (James) Maas of Portage, Michael Sergeant of Wayne County, Anne (Shawn) Tum of Clayton, NC and Grandchildren: Emily Sergeant, Jenifer Maas, Jessika Maas, Zoe Sergeant, and Alex Tum. Also surviving are: Jeff Hubbell (brother): Ron Sergeant and Teri Giannetti; dear friend, Margaret McGovern, Toni Sergeant, Zach Mann, Caleb Jenkins. She was preceded in death by her parents Charles Fredrick Hubbell, Cecelia (Heidtman)Hubbell and brother Charles F. Hubbell, Jr.

Sharon was born April 7, 1940 in Wyandotte, MI to Charles F. Hubbell and Cecilia (Heitman) Hubbell. Sharon grew up in Wyandotte and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte. She moved to Kalamazoo to attend Western Michigan University and graduated with a bachelor in Elementary Education. After raising her family, she returned to Western to add a Special Education endorsement where she found her life passion. She never saw the disability just the potential each person had. Sharon was a dedicated educator, beginning her career as an art teacher, teaching adults with special needs at McKercher, Inc., helping inmates achieve their GED through continuing education, and ended her teaching career as the resource room teacher at Three Rivers Middle School in Three Rivers, MI. where she was awarded Special Education Teacher of the Year.

Sharon met Ron Sergeant at Western Michigan University during Freshman Orientation and they were married July 29,1961 in Wyandotte, MI at First Congregational church of Wyandotte. They enjoyed traveling together whether driving around the state, or traveling to beautiful places like Banff, Canada,or New Mexico. They were married for 26 years and remained close friends. Sharon and Ron, along with Ron’s wife Teri, managed to forge a family unit together. Keeping the family together for the kids was very important to Sharon. Sharon and Teri developed a unique connection. She made the family work with Teri in it and from then on it was the three of them problem solving, laughing, worrying and celebrating together. Sharon and Teri had many adventures together, but by far the most memorable was the epic Girls trip to Italy.

Margaret McGovern is Sharon’s cherished, best friend. They became friends and neighbors when their children were young. Throughout many years they enjoyed knitting together, attending the Kalamazoo Symphony, Kalamazoo Civic, movies and many dinners together. They were there for each other during serious illnesses with Margaret supporting her to the end.

Sharon was always caring and loving towards her children, grandchildren, family and close friends. Family and time together were hallmarks of her life. Summers spent with extended family and friends at Wolf Lake in Baldwin, MI, family dinners and cook-outs, bonfires and holidays. Family and friends alike will remember her glowing smile, bright eyes, quick laughter and gentle guidance. Sharon’s famous lines from the children’s teen years were when she said, “I wish you would stop eating all the food I buy for you to eat” or questioning, "Which Lake Michigan?” Mike was going to visit with a friend. Sharon was a great listener, she never overpowered anyone, but she had deep thoughts and a caring heart.

Always creative, Sharon appreciated, enjoyed and created art. She shared these joys with her children and grandchildren with endless amounts of patience as she taught them how to knit, quilt, and cross-stich. Sharon loved painting and shared her own still life oil paintings with friends and family. Sharon was always knitting: baby blankets, sweaters, slippers, and even a rainbow snake! Everyone’s feet will be kept warmer with her special “Nana Knit Socks”. Children of family and friends were often welcomed with a Raggedy Ann or Raggedy Andy doll made with love by Sharon. She spent time creating beautiful quilts and those who knew Sharon well, have one to wrap themselves in as though she is giving us one of her Big Squeezes Bear Hugs. She enjoyed spending her time with her Stitch and Bitch Club, a circle of ladies who are also avid quilters. Anything to make her family feel cozy and loved. One year for Christmas Sharon got a 35mm camera and this open a new way for her to express her creativity. There are so many pictures of “character of the land” shots, (landscapes), portraits of family and friends, and always her favorites, sunsets.

Music was also a big part of her life, always singing a song for her family at the piano or singing nursery rhymes to her grandchildren. Sharon was a frequent patron of the Kalamazoo Symphony and attended as many concerts as she could. Her worship through singing began as a young girl in Wyandotte and as an adult alongside the Portage United Church of Christ chorus for many years. She was also a member Kalamazoo Women Choral for several years She loved all types of music, but a favorite artist was Josh Groban.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date when friends and family are able to gather together to share memories and photos.