Sharon Marie Finholm

Sharon Marie Finholm, 84, of Edmonds, WA, passed away at her home with peace and knowledge of her salvation on the eve of March 8, 2023, after a very brief illness.  She was surrounded by her four beloved children.

She was born in Tacoma, WA, on May 26, 1938, to parents Dr. Hugh Anthony Larkin and Charlotte Mae Larkin.  She was the oldest of ten children.  Sharon grew up in the north end of Tacoma.  She attended St. Patricks’ Catholic grade school, graduated from high school in 1956 from Aquinas Academy. She studied nursing at Seattle University.

The summer of 1952 was life-changing for 14-year-old Sharon. While helping her mom get groceries at Finholm’s Market, she met Ronald John Finholm.  Ron worked at his father’s meat market and grocery store.   From then on, Sharon always wanted to help her mom get groceries so she could see Ron.  They were dating by the following summer.   Ron spent every moment he could with her at her family’s beach house in Gig Harbor.  It was the perfect love story.

Sharon married Ron in 1960.  She dedicated her life to him, supporting his blossoming career in finance and together they raised four children. Life and career took them from Tacoma to Bethesda, Maryland and back to the West Coast, settling on Magnolia bluff in Seattle. After Ron’s retirement they moved to Gig Harbor and owned a condo on Magnolia and went back and forth for several years.

 First and foremost, Sharon remained ever dedicated to being a wife and mother, supporting and raising her children.  “Sharon was amazing, and so much fun; she was loved by everyone.” Her heart and her home were open to all the children in her life. She often hosted nieces and nephews for a week or two or a summer!  She not only mothered her own four children but was infamous for mothering her own nine younger siblings through the years.

Sharon and Ron loved to take annual trips to Palm Springs, always making sure that their grown children had an open invitation.  They enjoyed “dream trips” overseas to England, Ireland, and Italy in their later years.

Sharon had a love of the simple beauty of God’s creation.  She had a love for gardening and for every type of flower.   Her greatest joys were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She loved seeing them play and coming to visit with her.

Sharon’s spiritual gift was a servant’s heart.   No matter what need was presented, she would pray, love and serve.  Her legacy is this big, beautiful family for which she role-modeled love her entire life. The ripple effect is astounding.

Sharon has been preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Char,  husband Ron in 2017, and her adored grandson William Peter Allen in 2011, as well as brothers Thomas Larkin and Hugh Larkin.

Sharon is survived by her four children, Susan Marie (Greg) Peterson, Ronald John Finholm, Jr., James Anthony (Michelle) Finholm, Mary Gretchen (Mike) Allen, as well as nine grandchildren: Heidi (Brian), Hans, Ingrid (Justin), Anders, Elisabeth, Greta, John (Molly), Paul (Yumi) Luke (Aysia) and 6 great-grandchildren. Surviving siblings include Maureen (Art) Schmidt, Mick (Sharon) Larkin, Patrick (Claudia) Larkin, Charlotte (Paul) Hirsh, Jim (Barb) Larkin, Kelly (Joan) Larkin, Shannon (Troy) Bloedel, special sisters-in-law Mayo Larkin and Beth Larkin, and special in-laws Teddi and Monte Hester.  She leaves countless nieces and nephews that she loved so very much.

All are invited to a memorial service for Sharon at Community Christian Fellowship, Edmonds, WA, on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 11:00am with fellowship following the service. 

Thank you for being a part of Sharon’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a non-profit organization of your choice, in Sharon’s honor..

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