Obituary of Sharon Kerrin Allen

Sharon Kerrin Allen died on November 7, 2013 at Dominican Hospital following a six year battle with lung cancer. Born in Fort Dix, New Jersey, she was raised in Tacoma Washington and graduated from The University of Washington where she was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority. Sharon's father, a career military officer, met her German mother while stationed in Amberg after World War II. Sharon spoke fluent German and frequently visited and corresponded with her relatives in the Munich area. Sharon and her husband Mike were married for thirty-five years and lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Black Rock, Connecticut, Walnut Creek and Los Altos California and Omaha, Nebraska before moving to Santa Cruz in 2002. In each place Sharon made a wide range of friends and created a home for Mike, their growing family and their many friends. Sharon's infectious smile and personality always brought people together and lit up a room. Her laugh and presence will be missed by all who knew her. Her favorite time of year was the Holiday Season, with all her time-honored traditions and decorations, and most important, family and friends to celebrate with. For more than 10 years, Sharon had a career as a marketing where she is best remembered as the advertising agency executive responsible for the highly successful introduction of Stouffers Lean Cuisine. More important than any career accomplishments were her love of being a mom, loving wife, home entertainer and friend. Her marketing experience earned her the unofficial title of Chief Celebration Officer for her family and the many social groups to which she belonged. She is remembered for the wonderfully planned and executed parties of all kinds which brought together so many people in open, caring and fun events. Sharon was an active member of Toastmasters and an accomplished tennis player at Seascape Sports Club. While living in Omaha, she served on the Board of Directors of the Fontenelle Forest Nature Association, whose forest preserve promoted wildlife education and recreation. She was an active member of Parents United, a program supporting families of neglected and abused children and was a strong believer in the substance abuse treatment programs offered by Janus of Santa Cruz. Sharon loved walks on the beach and her spirit and love of the outdoors will live on in her family and all who came to know her as friend and colleague. She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Mike Allen of Santa Cruz, her children Nolan, Erika and Ryan Allen and her brother Eric Kerrin of Phoenix, Arizona. The celebration of Sharon's life will be scheduled in the next few months and will reflect Sharon's upbeat spirit. Please continue sharing with us, some of your memories and photgraphs by visiting http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sharonkallen. Any kind acts of charity may be made her memory to the Janus of Santa Cruz Perinatal Program, c/o Janus of Santa Cruz, 200 7th Ave. Suite 150, Santa Cruz CA 95062 or at www.janussc.org. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sharonkallen