Sharon Spencer

Throughout her life, Sharon Spencer showed a great knack for all things beautiful. From working in her flower gardens, photographing the beauty of the world around her, and creating things from clay and yarn to helping to enhance the beauty of her friends and family at her beauty shop, Sharon was a gifted individual. Caring and generous, Sharon was always ready to crack a smile and to share her love for life with others.

The 1950's were an exciting decade in the history of the United States. With American soldiers recently returned home from WWII and the Korean War, the United States entered a time of growth and prosperity. Legendary names like Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe dominating the entertainment scene, and the 1950's became an age of rock and roll, poodle skirts and the jitterbug. In Kalamazoo, Michigan, Harry and Eleanor (Van Haaften) Monroe were spending their time in preparation for the birth of their 6th child. One hot summer day, on August 1, 1950, Harry and Eleanor welcomed their newest daughter, Sharon, into their hearts and home.

Along with her brothers and sisters, Sharon spent her childhood in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Her father was a tool and die maker who owned his own company in Schoolcraft, while her mother was a deputy clerk in Kalamazoo. Throughout her childhood, Sharon got into her fair share of trouble, with the result that one time she even got window nailed shut! Full of spunk and zest, Sharon’s mother always considered her her wild child. Sharon attended Portage Schools, and proudly graduated from Portage Northern High School in 1968.

After graduating, Sharon worked at Bell Telephone for several months. Soon, though, she found the need to follow her artistic side, and enrolled at American Beauty Academy in Kalamazoo. She successfully graduated, and became a beautician. Following graduation, she worked at several small shops, and soon decided to open one of her own. In the early 1980's, she opened Beautee Bow-Teke Salon. The salon was first located in Paw Paw, and later moved to Mattawan. Soon, she needed more room, and had her brother Gary build her her own place in 1991 near Stone Cottage. Sharon loved her job like it was her own child, and was always proud to have successfully opened and run her own business.

When Sharon turned 25, she met a young man named Mason Spencer. The two fell in love, and were married in April of 1975 at her home. Sharon and Mason enjoyed many happy years together, and enjoyed camping together in their camper and motor home. Unfortunately, the two found it difficult to get away due to their busy work schedules. In 1982, the couple decided that marriage was no longer the right life for them, and parted ways. While their marriage did not last, Sharon was always thankful for the friendship that she developed and maintained with Mason's daughter, Tammy. To Tammy's daughters, she was Grandma Sharon.

Aside from being a skilled beautician, Sharon was skilled in many other kinds of crafts as well. She enjoyed such arts as ceramics, crocheting, and sewing. Photography was also a special love of hers, and she could always be found taking pictures of everything and developing them in her own dark room. With a special love for flowers, Sharon employed a green thumb, and maintained her flower garden with skill. A great dog lover, Sharon could always be found with her beloved pets, even taking them to her shop with her. While Sharon was a picky eater, she was also a skilled cook, and loved to try new recipes. Sharon also considered shopping one of her skills, and loved buying and wearing jewelry and other sorts of trinkets. With a special flair for beautiful things, she enjoyed decorating her house to perfection, and loved decorating for each holiday.

As Sharon continued to grow older, her livelong smoking habit had a negative effect on her health. About five years ago, she was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. More recently, she also developed heart problems and diabetes. In the last few years, Sharon discovered that she could no longer care for herself, and her sister Beth moved in with her. On May 9, 2010, at age 59, Sharon died at her home.

Throughout her life, Sharon was a loving, caring person with a wonderful sense of humor and a generous spirit. Industrious and motivated, Sharon took great pride in the work she accomplished throughout her life, and enjoyed her job every day. Her love for life and creating beauty impacted the lives of many friends and family, and will never be forgotten. Sharon will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by a brother, Ronald Brown. Surviving are: her daughter by marriage, Tammy (Eric) Hill; 2 grandchildren: Taylor and Samantha Hill; 3 siblings: Roger (Mary) Monroe, Gary Brown and Beth Monroe; many nieces and nephews. There will be no services. Please visit Sharon’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can learn more about Sharon’s life, archive a memory or photo, or sign her memory book. Memorial donations may be directed to the SPCA.