Sharon Lee Means

Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt, Sharon L. Means, passed away at home on Friday, September 20, surrounded by her loving family. Sharon fought the good fight with cancer, on and off for 30 years.

She was born Sharon Lee George in Petoskey, Michigan July 4, 1946, the eldest of twelve children, to Robert Lee George, and Roberta Mae (Karamol) George. Sharon grew up in Petoskey and graduated from Saint Francis High School in 1965.

The adventure really began when Sharon met her life-long partner of nearly 60 years, James E. Means. They were married in Petoskey on October 28, 1966. Having moved on to live in California, Germany, Florida and Alaska, the couple returned to make Petoskey their home once again.

Sharon and Jim worked hard to build their life and raise their children. Having purchased and renovated a home on Emmet Street in Petoskey, they took to the road again, in supporting roles for the entertainment industry. James (Jim) as a driver moving stage equipment, and Sharon as a master seamstress working on celebrity costumes, they toured with the likes of the Champions on Ice, Menopause the Musical and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles tour, to name a few. They travelled the country together, living out of their tractor-trailer rig during long hauls from show to show. During this time, they sold the Emmet Street home and purchased another in Brutus. This one was completely renovated as well and provided Sharon with a wonderful view of Burt Lake for the last several decades of her life. 

Sharon’s passion was taking care of everyone else, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she adored. She made a life of ensuring that all of her people had everything that she could possibly provide. From meals for everyone during Blueberry Festival at their cabin in the Upper Peninsula, to assisting in the full renovation of that homestead as well. Her mastery in sewing gave her the skills to alter clothing for any given family member (sometimes even an emergency wedding dress fix), to recovering furniture and cushions for themselves and family members, to hand-made curtains, to designing and creating beautiful toddler chairs and ottomans for her great-grandchildren, from scratch. She made many sets of tiny doll clothing for her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, throughout her life.

Sharon devoted a lot of time to helping others and was deeply devoted to her faith. Her prayer list was extensive, and she always took the time to pray for those in need. She dedicated years of volunteer service to the local VFW, conducting annual poppy sales, and assisting in preparation for any event, all in the name of supporting our American veterans.

Sharon will be remembered for her strength, drive, endurance and zest for life. These are what set her apart. She went all-in, on everything she did.

Sharon is preceded in death by her mother and father, her brother Don, and sisters Teresa and Maggie. She is survived by her husband, Jim Means; her son, John (Mary Sutton) Means; her daughter, Jennifer (Dave Olson) Scott; her remaining siblings, Lee Ann Cole, Diane (Roger) Allen, Carol (Mike) McKay, Brian (Teresa) George, Laurie (Joe) Lovett, Elaine (Gibb) Kuspa, Julie (Pete) Tuttle and Alan George; her grandchildren, Tab (Travis) Lowrance, Samantha (Tom) Glide; and great-grandchildren Remi, Theo, Keeley and Aiden Glide; as well as many other cousins, nieces and nephews, and other extended family.

A private celebration of life for family is planned for a later date.