Sharon Elaine (Stankus) Whitney, 75, of Mission Viejo, CA passed Friday, January 15, 2021 with heart failure due to sepsis. After a five-month bravely fought battle with overall health decline, she is finally at peace.
Sharon was born on June 27, 1945 to Herman Joseph Stankus and Violet Margaret (Wilding) Stankus in North Apollo, PA. She graduated from Santa Ana Valley High School in 1963.
First married to Michael Thomas Gavin in 1964, they moved to Granite City, IL, where Sharon became the proud mom of her two daughters, Karen Eileen (Gavin) van Gool and Kelley Ann (Gavin) Aranda. Sharon was the most devoted, loving, fun, and selfless mom, sacrificing for her girls, but never once making them feel like they were living less than their best lives. In 1975 Sharon and her girls moved to Tustin, CA to be closer to her parents and their extended family who had settled in Orange County, CA.
In her first employment after high school Sharon worked in Granite City, IL at Sears Roebuck and as a Telephone Operator at Pacific Telephone and Telegraph. She enjoyed a few years as a Homemaker, but then went to school to became a licensed hairdresser. For years, even after her salon work ended, Sharon enjoyed doing hair for family and friends. When she moved to California she began working as an Administrative Assistant and continued in that line of work for about 20 years until she stopped working at the age of 49.
In 1978 she met the love of her life, Albert “Hank” Colton Whitney II while working together at Smith Tool in Irvine, CA. They married July 30, 1982 at the Candlelight Wedding Chapel on the Vegas Strip and honeymooned in Hawaii. Karen and Kelley were extremely happy to welcome Hank to the family. Hank and Sharon had 38 wonderful years together. They enjoyed flying in Hank’s airplane, going to car shows with the Corvette, watching car races from the stands, attending special events for dear friends and family, and participating in every single activity they could with their grandchildren.
To know Sharon is to know that nothing stopped her. Even with physical limitations, she lived her life to the fullest. She loved her family and friends deeply. Her love language was to find or make that special gift that she chose just for you. Things we all know: She loved Christmas, and if it didn’t move, it got a bow. She was a collector – of everything. She loved all children and delighted in creating treat bags for Halloween every year. She loved to dance. Elvis was her King. She took unbelievable, loving care of her mom. She would do anything for her grandchildren. She would not leave the house without her hair and makeup done and was always dressed her best. She loved to shop. She was fiercely sentimental. Her hot chocolate had to be made just right. She loved to cook. She had so much fun with her Twinges gals. She explored many hobbies and interests. She disliked conflict and liked to make the peace. She was proud of her daughters, but really proud of her grandchildren. Her smile was the very best. It was beautiful. It beamed from within. It was genuine and full of love. She would want “you’ns” to remember her with that smile.
Sharon was predeceased by her loving parents Herm and Vi and her stepmother Darlene. She is survived by her husband Albert (Hank) Colton Whitney II, daughters Karen van Gool (Paul) & Kelley Aranda, grandchildren Thomas, Megan, Olivia and Charles, brother Richard Stankus, and large extension of family & friends. Sharon’s dear friends were family to her. Ellen Goodwin of Santa Ana, CA was like a sister. Dottie and Jimmy McFetridge of North Ireland and Oceanside, CA have watched over Sharon since she was a teenager. Sharon dearly loved Lynn My and Dennis Tran, who grew up knowing her as “grandma.” We could never name all who were special to her and who she carried in her heart every day. We are extremely grateful for your care, concern, thoughts, and prayers.
In lieu of flowers, honor Sharon by doing something nice for yourself, because that’s the way Sharon would have wanted it.
A Celebration of Sharon's life will be held at Fairhaven Memorial Service, Outdoor Gazebo , 27856 Center Drive, Mission Viejo, Ca 92692 on Saturday 27th February 2021 commencing at 10 am.
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