Sharon Sue Mulligan

Sharon Sue Mulligan, age 78, of Mesa, Arizona departed this life on Friday, February 16, 2024 after a tough battle with lung cancer surrounded by her family. She was born in Bruning, Nebraska on October 2, 1945, the cherished daughter of Fieldon and Leona Hawks and beloved sister to Howard, JoAnne and Tom. She grew up on the family farm tending to the chickens and enjoying the horses.

Sharon, a dedicated single parent from Hebron, Nebraska, worked tirelessly in multiple jobs to support and raise her four children. With a background as a legal secretary and insurance agent, she was deeply involved in her children's lives, attending their events (sports, band, choir, 4-H horse shows) and even teaching them outdoor skills. Sharon was an active member of the United Methodist Church, serving as a youth leader and a member of the choir, singing with a rich alto voice. We could always count on her for an endless supply of mints and gum for the service. In 1993, Sharon joined her four children in the college ranks by earning her LPN degree. The next year, she moved to Arizona, working in hospitals before finding her true calling at Hospice Family Care. For the remaining 15 years of her career, she devoted herself to providing compassionate care and support to families during their end-of-life journeys.

While Sharon was in Arizona she met her love Eldon Mulligan in the church choir. They were married a few months later and shared many beautiful years together before Eldon’s passing in 2014. Sharon was very active within the Methodist Church in Arizona helping with vacation bible school, attending church camp with her grandchildren, performing in the handbell choir, and singing in the church choir. She kept herself busy attending as many of her grandchildren’s events as she could including volleyball, soccer, gymnastic, softball, musical concerts, marching bands, show choir competitions, theater productions and horse shows. Her grandchildren meant the world to her, as did her friends.

Sharon was always the first one to help someone in need, to lend an ear to listen, and to give a hug when needed. She would do anything she could to help her friends and family at any time. You could always count on her in a crisis, she was a rock of strength and support. Sharon loved to create beautiful pottery, ceramics and acrylic paintings. She was always up for a craft fair, shopping, and going to the movies. She regularly visited Nebraska for family reunions, valuing time with her siblings and their families, and heading over to Iowa to see her daughter and grandchildren. During her later years, she and her dog Scotty found a home with her daughter Deanna, ensuring they received the finest care and support.

She was preceded in death by her parents Fieldon and Leona Hawks, her granddaughter Stela Veik, and her beloved husband, Eldon Mulligan.

Sharon is survived by her children: Dawn Murphy of Mesa, AZ, Deanna (Johnny) Amador of Mesa, AZ, Matt (Amy) Branting of Gilbert, AZ, and Mitch (Melissa) Branting of Gilbert, AZ, Tamara (Brett) Mulligan-Tucker of Mesa, AZ, Garry (Evonne) Mulligan of Holdrege, NE, Michael Mulligan of North Platte, NE, brothers Howard (Rhonda) Hawks of Omaha, NE, Tom (HuLaine) Hawks of Geneva, NE, and sister JoAnne (Don) Lubben of Bruning, NE. She also has many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.

May Sharon rest in peace, reunited with her loved ones, and may her memory continue to bring comfort and inspiration to those fortunate enough to have shared in her life. She was truly a beautiful person.

There will be two memorials services available.

• Nebraska: 10 am on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at United Methodist Church at 701 Lincoln Ave, Hebron, NE

• Arizona: 10 am on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Red Mountain United Methodist Church, 2936 N Power Rd, Mesa, AZ

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to support the design/development of the Red Mountain United Methodist Church Desert Haven Columbarium Garden near her final resting place in Sharon's honor.

Checks can be made out to either "Sharon Mulligan Memorial" or "Red Mountain United Methodist Church" with note "In Memory of Sharon Mulligan" in the memo line.

Link: https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZC51/campaign/C-14CCK?access=tile_direct