Sharon Ivy Gartner

Sharon Gartner, 65, of Ocean Isle Beach, passed away on July 21, 2015 after a two-and-a-half-year bout with leiomyosarcoma. She was an adored mother, grandmother, wife, sister, daughter, cousin, mother-in-law and friend.

She was born Sharon Ivy Ellison on November 27, 1949, and grew up in various towns in New Jersey, including Woodbridge, Cliffside Park and Union City. She attended Jersey City State College in the late ‘60s — an era she always would always cherish for its energy, vibrance and music — graduating with a degree in Art Education. She worked as an elementary-school art teacher until her first son, Brian, was born, and then became a full-time mother, which she considered to be her true calling. She was always quick to tell friends (and strangers) how proud she was of Brian and his younger brother, Kevin, and, years later, her grandchildren.

Starting in her teenage years, art was a hugely important part of Sharon’s life. She was a talented and prolific visual artist, and her work — including oil portraits, watercolor landscapes and pastel still-lifes — always adorned the walls of her home, as well as the occasional gallery.

Sharon will be remembered as a warm, gentle, loving, open-minded, witty and supportive woman — and someone with tremendous resilience, courage and strength when she needed it.

Sharon is survived by her husband, Bruce; her sons, Brian and Kevin Felix; her daughters-in-law, Bridget and Marissa Felix; her grandchildren, Sean, Gavin, Ben and Edie Felix; her brother, Howard Ellison; and her mother, Ethel Ellison.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday July 23 at 1 pm at White Funeral Home, 3660 Express Dr., Shallotte, NC 28470. Casual attire is OK.

A gathering will be held following the service. It will be at 3 pm at the Plantation Club at Ocean Ridge Plantation. You can use this address to get you to the front gate: 53 Ocean Ridge Pkwy SW

Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469. Once you enter, please follow Ocean Ridge Parkway and the Plantation Club will be your first turn on the left.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.shallottefunerals.com .

In lieu of flowers, Sharon requested that donations be made in her name to the Brunswick County Animal Services, P.O. Box 92, Supply, NC 28462.

A service of White Funeral and Cremation Service Shallotte Chapel