Sharon Coleman

Sharon D. Coleman was a strong, caring woman who loved fishing, country music and playing Yahtzee. Above all, though, she loved her family and friends. Underneath her sweet demeanor and cheerful outlook on life was a reservoir of strength, which those around her came to depend on. Always thinking of others before herself, Sharon was both blessed by and a blessing to those she loved.

As World War II continued to occupy the world’s attention in 1943, Rodger and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! combined the serious mood of the country with entertainment for the first time. Sharon Diane Hirsch was born on October 24, 1943, to her parents, Morris and Florence Hirsch, in Grosse Point Farms. Her friends and family took to calling her Sherry when she was a child, though later in life, she preferred to be called by her birth name. Despite her parents divorcing when she was 10, Sharon had plenty of opportunities to create unforgettable childhood memories with her brother Craig and sister Melissa. She attended Foot Elementary School in Lincoln Park and high school in southwest Detroit.

At the age of 17, Sharon set out on her own and moved into an apartment with her friend Lavada. It was here that she met her future husband, Robert “Bob” Coleman, who just returned home from the Army and came to visit Sharon’s roommate. Bob noticed Sharon right away and didn’t waste any time in asking her out. After they dated for some time, Sharon moved in with Bob in a furnished basement apartment and even began driving him to work every day. She would then take the car and visit some friends until Bob needed to be picked up after his shift. The young couple were married on February 18, 1963, in Detroit, and had their first child, Sherry, in 1964. Sharon purposely named her daughter Sherry so that people would have to call her Sharon. A year later, they welcomed their second child, son Robert “Bobby” in 1965.

After the arrival of her children, Sharon stayed at home to care for her new family. Sherry and Bobby were blessed with an active and fun loving mother, who made every day interesting. She enjoyed playing games with her children and if she had to go out, they were sure to accompany her. As a mother and wife, Sharon had many talents around the house. She sewed a lot of the children’s and later grandchildren’s clothes and even made her own curtains for her home. Her family truly loved her cooking, particularly her green beans, spaghetti and clam chowder. Though, it didn’t really matter what she made, everyone enjoyed it. Her son Bobby insists he got his love and talent for cooking from her. When her children were teenagers, Sharon went back to work, but always made sure they were taken care of even when she wasn’t home. She left lists of chores to be done and instructions on how to prepare the food she left out for dinner. Her first thoughts were always for the well being of her family. Sharon filled her home with love and everyone was heartily welcome in her home.

Sharon and Bob liked their family time so much that they always went on vacation with many of them. Sharon absolutely loved to go camping and even got her friends hooked on it. From day trips to weekend get-aways, they took every possible opportunity to commune with nature and fish, another great passion of Sharon’s. So much so, that she went into labor with Sherry while on a fishing trip. Later, they bought some property up north, which became Sharon’s favorite place to relax. Many unforgettable memories were also made on their caravan trips to Tennessee and South Carolina. On one particular trip, they traveled to the Smokey Mountains with nearly 60 family members. When at home, Sharon would often get together with her mom, sister and sister-in-law to play Yahtzee and drink Pepsi all night. She also liked playing Euchre.

After her children were older, Sharon went to work for Fisher Body sewing car seats. A deeply dedicated employee, she was often the first to work and the last to leave, for she wouldn’t quit until her job was done. One time, Sharon accidentally sewed her finger with her machine and instead of waiting for help, she simply backed the machine back over her finger and went about her business.

Sharon was always a very practical and well-balanced person. Her energetic pace in life allowed her to rise early and fully enjoy every moment the day had to offer. In November of 2003, Sharon was diagnosed with A.L.S., but she continued to face each day with a positive outlook. She would still, without hesitation, jump on a motorcycle for a ride, and even put her fear of flying aside and went to Las Vegas for some die hard gambling with those one-arm bandits that she loved. Besides casinos, Sharon also enjoyed the racetrack and playing the lottery every week, though only hit a few jackpots – just not the big one. She enjoyed eating at Big Boy, however, her favorite place to eat out at was at Kitty’s Chinese Restaurant. She loved country music and often recorded Soap Operas so not to miss them.

Sharon was a very outgoing and loving woman, whose years of dedicated work afforded her both a happy place in life, and a family that loved her dearly. Although her marriage to Bob ended in divorce about 12 years ago, their deep lasting friendship continued to this day. Her adventurous, energetic personality consistently fascinated those who loved her. She cherished the beauty around her every day of her life. Sharon expressed to her family that she wanted everyone to live their life happy because she was here, not sad because she is gone. Aside from the births of her children, Sharon cherished her 100-year-old Bible, which was passed down through several generations, and her family photographs as some of the most precious gifts in her life.

Sharon will be lovingly remembered for her benevolent spirit, her strength of mind and her unconditional love for her family. She will be deeply missed and frequently remembered.

Sharon Diane Coleman (Hirsch), age 61, beloved mother and sister, died at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, on Thursday, March 3, 2005, following a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Sharon is survived by her ex-husband and best friend, Robert Coleman; her daughter, Sherry (Mark) Kraft, and son, Bobby (Kellie) Coleman; nine grandchildren: Steven, Brittney, Sean, Alyssa Sara, Cory, Samantha, Kiersten and Caden; two brothers, Craig Hirsch and Ron Hirsch; three sisters, Melissa Delegarza, Karen Hawkins (Hirsch) and Kay Hirsch. She if further survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Steve Hirsch.

Visitation will be on Saturday, March 5, and Sunday, March 6, from 2-9 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 7, at 11 a.m. at the McCabe Life Story Funeral Home, Canton Chapel, 851 Canton Center Road. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to ALS of Michigan, 21311 Civic Ctr. Drive, Ste. 200, Southfield, MI 48076. We would like to thank Daniel S. Newman, MD and Stephanie Ryczko, RN, of the Harry J. Hoenselaar ALS Clinic at Henry Ford Hospital. We would also like to especially thank all of the staff of the P-2 Oncology department at Henry Ford Hospital for their true compassion, help and support. Please visit Sharon’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution in her memory.