Sharon Jean Washington

Sharon Jean Washington of Lansing, MI passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family, on the evening of July 9th, 2021. Sharon was in home hospice after fighting a courageous battle against a failing liver and kidneys.

She is survived by her husband, John T. Washington, her children, Kevin and Derek Washington, their spouses, Amy Chilingirian and Carla Mantel, her sister Barb Hardy (Jim) and her granddaughters Maya and Ella Washington. She is preceded in death by her parents, Rufus and Lucile Racey.

Sharon spent her early childhood in Virginia but moved to Traverse City, MI at the age of 7. She graduated from Traverse City High School in 1966 after which she attended Western Michigan University and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from Michigan State University in 1970. She married John in September of 1971 and they were just shy of their 50th wedding anniversary at the time of her passing. Sharon was very active in her children’s academics, coaching them in Math-O-Rama and Equations and was very involved in the PTA. When her children were older, Sharon returned to the workforce and took a position with Erickson & Associates, a company which would later be acquired by H.J. Umbaugh & Associates out of Indiana. After retiring, some of Sharon’s favorite activities included spending time with her grandchildren, baking cookies with her nieces, and of course, cheering on her Michigan State Spartans.

A public visitation will be held at Tiffany Funeral Home, located at 3232 W Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48917 on Friday, July 16th between 2-6pm. A larger celebration of life will be held on a future date.