- Date Of Birth: February 23, 1957
- Date Of Death: March 7, 2021
- State: Arizona
Sharon Gayle Sweet passed away on March 7, 2021 after a long illness. She died peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family. She was 64 years old.
Sharon was born on February 23, 1957 to Charles Victor Haak, originally of Texarkana Arkansas, and Dorothy Sanders Haak, originally of Pauilo, Hawaii. Sharon was a lifelong Alameda resident and attended Alameda schools including Mastick Elementary and Washington School. She was also a very proud graduate of Encinal High School, Class of 1975. She exuded Jet Pride throughout her life and was the head of her reunion committees for decades.
Sharon started working at an early age, beginning her career as a secretary for the City of Alameda in the Office of the Mayor. Thereafter, she was a loan officer at Alameda First National Bank for several years. She then forged a 30-year career as a legal secretary at various law firms around the Bay Area. She typed like the wind and was given the nickname “Della Street” by various colleagues and friends.
Sharon was civically minded. She was one of the founding members of the grassroots organization “Republicans for Clinton” during the 1992 U.S. presidential election. The Alameda Journal featured her in a cover story about her efforts.
Sharon loved being a mother to her daughter Leslie Fales and her son Patrick Sweet. She was a fierce advocate for her children throughout their lives and dedicated much of her time during their school years to the PTA and school activities. Her house was a designated “hangout” spot during these years. She was often called “mom” by many of her children’s friends, who she claimed as her adopted kids and with whom she remained close the rest of her life.
Sharon was a devoted wife. She was married to David Warren Sweet for 20 years until his untimely passing in 2007. During their marriage, David started a successful asbestos and mold consulting business, which Sharon managed for many years. She took great pride in what they accomplished as a team, both in business and in life. After Dave’s death, Sharon was blessed to find love again with her current husband Steven Sharp, whom she married in October of 2010. Together they enjoyed a vibrant social life on the island. They joined the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Chapter 1076 and spent many an evening socializing with friends at their favorite restaurant Dragon Rouge.
Sharon was known to speak her mind and although she was only 4 foot 11, she exuded a presence that was much larger than her short stature implied. She was a gregarious storyteller and had a knack for becoming fast friends with strangers. She was an avid country music fan and felt most comfortable wearing cowboy boots. She was a gifted dancer and loved nothing more than dragging her kids onto the dance floor. She taught them both how to jitterbug at an early age specifically for that purpose. Her laugh was loud, distinct, and infectious. Her hugs were legendary. She will be missed forever.
Sharon was predeceased by her mother and father, as well as her late husband, David. She is survived by her husband Steven M. Sharp and her children, daughter Leslie Ann Fales and son Patrick Ryan Sweet, both of Alameda. She is also survived by her son-in-law James Morris Olsen, also of Alameda, her sister Kathy Lynn Coates of Waterford, Michigan and brother-in-law Steve Langley, also of Waterford, Michigan. She is also survived by nephews Bradley Allyn Coates of Waterford Michigan and Phillip Andrew Coates of Clayton, Ohio, as well as numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles.
