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Sharon McDuffie Obituary
SHARON IRENE (GRAY) MCDUFFIE
September 22, 1947 ~ June 16, 2015
Sharon Irene Gray was born in Titusville, PA on Sept. 22, 1947 to Melvin and Alzora Gray. She was the third of four children, graduating from high school in '65, and with a college degree in secondary English at age 20.
Shortly after she married Cary Tamura, he was drafted and they moved to Germany. After his service was over, they moved to Hawaii where she gave birth at 26 to her daughter Jenni, and then her son Matt. A year later, the family moved to Portland, OR.
Sharon remarried in '85 to Scott McDuffie and became a stepmom to Annie, Steve, and Greg.
Sharon went on to earn an MS in School Counseling and Psychology in '87 from Lewis and Clark College. She moved to Vancouver, WA and enjoyed 26 years of working as a school psychologist for Vancouver, Battle Ground and Evergreen School Districts.
In 2012, she retired after being diagnosed the previous year with stage 3 lung cancer, one of the 25% of cases who are non-smokers. She explored many treatment options, both conventional and unconventional, but ultimately her life ended much too soon on June 16, 2015 at home with her family holding her.
Sharon had several passions in life ~
her love for her family, serving students with
learning disabilities, friendships of great depth,
and most importantly her relationship with Christ,
who ultimately delivered her from suffering
to join Him in Heaven.
She also was an accomplished quilter, chef, counselor, and gardener.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Scott, of nearly 30 years; her children, Matt, Jenni, Annie, Steve, and Greg; her grandchildren, Asher and Ellis, Jack and Levi, Mark and Dennis, and Laura and Erin.
Her memorial service will be held on Thurs., July 2nd at New Heights Church in Vancouver at 5 p.m. More details on this are available on her memorial page at straubsfuneralhome.com.
Please sign her guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sharon McDuffie
Susan Ross
July 17, 2015
I had the privilege of working with Sharon at Evergreen Public Schools. Although I didn't get to work with her on a regular basis, her caring, kind, and compassionate nature was always evident. She was a strong school psychologist who was a great support to staff, students, and parents alike. She will be greatly missed!
Susan Denney
July 1, 2015
Such a wonderful lady! She was a gift of support for me as a teacher at Maple Grove.
Judy Gray Boren
June 29, 2015
Sharon proud to say you are my cousin. I can only talk about when we were kids and we visited PA, I loved spending time with you. Then facebook brought us back together and I got to know your family through pictures and our words. I talked about a visit and it will happen .... we will meet again at the feet of our Jesus.
Barbara Scott-Johnson
June 29, 2015
Sharon was passionate about helping children in our community. It was a pleasure to have worked with her. She will be missed by many.
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Becci, Dick, Ricki, Rachael Moore
June 29, 2015
Your light will shine eternal in your children Jennifer, Matt, and their children and your large family & vast array of friends. Go with God and we will meet again...
Rebecca Moore
June 29, 2015
It is after 4AM my time dear cousin and Ronnie had just posted this to the Gray Family facebook page. I think of you often and miss your most useful and informative posts online. As I am certain you're in Heaven helping your mom and Jesus organize the eventual homecoming for those of us remaining here on earth, I can picture Uncle Melvin tending to his peonies. I am so fortunate to have gotten to know you better in our later years through Facebook and to appreciate what a kind,loving, and compassionate soul you really are. God Bless you Sharon for all that you are and for all that you'll be in the eternal afterlife. Love Cousins Becci Colvin Moore and her family....hubby Dick and daughters Ricki and Rachael.
Bonnie Webberley
June 28, 2015
Sharon's compassion for life, children and education will be greatly missed. I had the honor of working with Sharon at Burton Elementary. She was thoughtful, kind, funny an excellent school psychologist and just an amazing lady. My sincere condolences to her family.
Diana Dewey
June 28, 2015
Sharon was a huge blessing to my daughters at Maple Grove Schools when they were young and struggling with our divorce! I was so thankful for her caring for them. I am so sorry for your loss!
Cindi Freeman
June 28, 2015
Sharon was a wonderful, kind, funny, generous, supportive, and courageous friend. I met her on the first day of employment (for both of us) with the Evergreen School District. It was my first teaching job. She had been a school psych. for many years and took me under her wing to mentor me through the next two years of teaching. Her help and friendship during that challenging time was a gift I will never forget. I am greatly saddened by her passing and offer my heartfelt condolences to her beloved family and friends. She will be deeply missed.
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Straub's Funeral Home & Columbia River Cremation325 NE 3rd Ave., Camas, WA 98607
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Vancouver, WA
The Columbian
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