Sharon Tyler Suarez

Sharon Tyler Strickland Suarez lived a glorious life and passed peacefully on April 18, 2023. Born March 11, 1940 to Rumsey and Pat Strickland, Sharon grew up in Dallas, Texas and graduated from Highland Park High School.

An accomplished harpist, she spent many summers in Camden, Maine studying with the renowned Carlos Salzedo. In 1957, Sharon won the prestigious Dealey Award and performed with the Dallas Symphony. She studied music at Oberlin College in Ohio, but soon returned to Texas to pursue her true calling: World’s Greatest Mom.

She supported and celebrated the varied interests of each of her children. She spent late nights typing term papers, early mornings driving paper routes, and countless hours needlepointing the most gorgeous Christmas stockings you ever saw in your life. Sharon made the house a second home to all her kids’ friends who would wander in at all hours looking for good company and a bite to eat. The fridge was always stocked and the door was never locked.

In her golden years, Sharon found a new love in Carlos Suarez. The two were married and moved to Austin to be closer to the kids. They took many trips to Carlos’ ranch in the mountains outside of Monterrey, Mexico, where they spent time gardening, cooking and entertaining for friends. Sharon loved finding joy and sharing joy. She was semi-famous for her signature laugh: a blurted honk that exploded suddenly and without warning. Her favorite word was, “FABULOUS.”

Sharon is survived by her husband, Carlos Suarez, her children, Michael, Kimberly, Christopher, and Patricia, as well as nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Michael and Louis, and by Doug Coffin, the father of her children.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the team of angels at the Village at the Triangle for the kind and unwavering care they provided Sharon in her last years.

A memorial service will take place in Dallas sometime next fall. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association.