Sharon Kay Morse

Sharon Kay Morse, 75, of Tigard, Oregon passed away on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at home with her family surrounded by love. Sharon is survived by many, many friends and loving family members including husband Gary; children Jonathan and Cristy Morse, Julia and Todd McBride; siblings Gloria and Bill LaBore, Carol and Ken Huston, Dan and Bev Cook; grandchildren Lillian, Frank, Harlan and Landon.

A saying sometimes attributed to St. Francis of Assisi epitomizes Sharon. “Wherever you go, spread the gospel, use words only when necessary”. Those who encountered Sharon felt listened to, appreciated, “beheld” by her. Through the years, she impacted many with her quiet unconditional love and acceptance. In speaking of others, she had a genuine appreciation for their best qualities, never criticizing or speaking of their faults. She loved making friends.

Sharon was born into the loving family of Buster and Marjorie Cook in Richland, Washington on June 1, 1946. She spent her childhood in the Tri-Cities cavorting with her siblings Gloria, Carol and Dan. She graduated from Kennewick High School in 1964 and went on to receive an Associate’s degree from Northwest College in Kirkland, Washington. Sharon Cook married Gary Morse on September 3, 1966 in Kennewick.

Sharon’s work career began as a freshman in college where she worked part-time as a legal assistant to help cover her expenses. This experience along with her gracious demeanor and exceptional skills would continue to serve her over the years as she could find work in legal offices wherever she and Gary lived.

Though she enjoyed her time in the legal profession, Sharon’s last paid employment may have been her favorite work. As a transcriber assigned to hearing impaired students at Portland Community College, she participated in the courses and developed relationships with the students. Many of those she helped were from other countries and she enjoyed learning about their lives and cultures prior to coming to the United States. The youthful bustle and creativity of the college campus suited her well. She would come home from work tired, but overflowing with gratitude and appreciation for the students and professors.

Gary and Sharon’s married life began in Eugene as a teacher and legal assistant respectively. The Vietnam war and Gary’s entrance into the Air Force made an abrupt change to their plans. Sharon was unflappable as she was left to pack the house and finalize its sale while Gary was off to basic training. The next five years took them to Lubbock, Texas; Merced, California (Hello baby Jonathan!); and Minot, North Dakota (Hello baby Julia!). Sharon was always up for a great adventure and enjoyed the chance to travel through Madrid, Spain and Thailand during the Air Force years with Gary.

1974 began a new chapter of life as they moved back to Lubbock, Texas where Gary had accepted a position as Minister of Music at Trinity Church. Sharon loved her time in Lubbock as a young mother and threw herself into homemaking with great zest and joy. She made bread, ice cream, and yogurt from scratch, and loved visits to a local dairy with the kids for fresh milk and eggs.The time in Lubbock was the beginning of 33 years of ministry for Gary and Sharon. Family adventures included one year in an Airstream trailer cross-country followed by moves to Springfield, Missouri; New Orleans, Louisiana; Coquille, Beaverton, and Tigard, Oregon.

Whether it was in the Airstream, an apartment, a small house or large home Sharon made every place warm, cozy and beautiful for her family and guests. Cooking, gardening, decorating, hosting friends and family–these were things Sharon enjoyed and excelled in at every turn. She savored her time with children as a mom, as Grammy, in church, and in the neighborhood. Her grandchildren will remember bedtime snacks of her specialty: dill pickle and peanut butter sandwiches, cut into delicate little squares.

Sharon was active in music throughout her life and loved to listen to a wide variety of musical styles. Her dad and mom hosted jam sessions at home primarily playing Texas-country and gospel. Sharon always sang in church, her mother Marjorie taught her to harmonize and her skill grew as she sang in choirs and small vocal groups.

The summer after her freshman year at Northwest College she was in a traveling women’s trio promoting the school which led to meeting her future husband. Once Gary the piano player came along, they would always sing together, leading church music as a duo, or larger groups and ensembles. Music was always playing at home and some of Mom’s favorites were Manhattan Transfer, Fats Waller, and at Christmas, Amahl and the Night Visitors by Menotti.

Throughout her life, everywhere she lived, Sharon was a gardener. She was drawn to the outdoors, always had a vision, and a great joy for growing beautiful things. Yes, some tidy row crop vegetables were planted, but mostly she planted perennials. All of the many house yards and neighborhoods to this day continue to bear the fruit, flowers, and dappled shade that Sharon nurtured along.

Here is a paraphrase of an old saying…. “Blessed are those who plant trees under whose shade they will never sit”. Thank you Sharon for all the digging, planting, pruning, and watering. Thank you for all of the people you listened to, cared for, and beheld with love. Thank you Sharon. You are so loved.

Interment will be at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.

Arrangements entrusted to Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes in Portland, Oregon.