Sharon Janda - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

Let the memory of Sharon be with us forever

Passed away on December 31, 2014

This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Sharon Janda. We will remember her forever.

A Hawaiian Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, May 9th, 2015 from 11am to 1pm at the Beach Villas at Ko Olina Owners Lounge, Kapolei, HI. A potluck lunch will follow.

A memorial service and celebration of Sharon's life will be held on Saturday January 24, 2015 from11:00 a.m.- 3:00 with services beginning at 11:30 at St. James Episcopal Church (11815 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, MD) in the undercroft (lower level - enter from back of building). A potluck lunch will be served.

Donations in memory of Sharon may be made to the American Heart Association:
http://honor.americanheart.org/site/TR/Events/General;jsessionid=30AE7CD01572B901F9DBCF46C0AC2AFA.app243a?pg=fund&fr_id=1030&pxfid=273344

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January 8, 2015

Whenever I walked into a workshop and Sharon was there, I knew we (the entire group) would have fun. She had such sparkle, a lovely smile and that little giggle. I will carry those in my heart always. So much could be said, my heart aches for her family. Peace to you.

January 7, 2015

Dear Dear Sharon
It has been a privilege having you as a friend and sharing so many laughs together,You brightened my life,A kinder person I had never met..
Rest in peace my friend

January 7, 2015

Dick,
I never had the opportunity to meet your wife, but even through our professional dealings, you appeared to be a very happy man. After being married over 41 years myself, I know what happiness a true soul mate can bring. I am so very sorry for your loss and can only wish you happy memories of your much beloved wife.

My thoughts are with you and your son.

January 6, 2015

Sharon, dear Sharon. Loved by so many, admired by so many, a creative and technically superb artist and a good friend. Felting, dyeing, and just being together added so much joy to my life and to others.

I was lucky enough to spend precious time with my dear friend in the last few years. I still have tears and such sorrow at her loss, but I am thankful that I have my memories of our times together.

January 5, 2015

Richard and Sean, it has been such a privilege to have been blessed by Sharon's friendship over these many years. My memories of her go back to your home in Morrison (and the beautiful dining room and kitchen she designed) :) and to the many times we enjoyed dinners and outings together. She was kind to those she met and to the "fur people" that she loved...Wicket and Kiwi! I recall her gracious hospitality when my son, Andrew and I came to visit in DC. She made us feel so welcome and the tour of her felting "lab" downstairs was something to behold! I will always picture her with a warm, loving word to offer and a gracious smile. The two words that come to mind when I think of her are "bright light." She shined it on all those she encountered.
We are here for you and love you and will miss dear Sharon very, very much.

January 5, 2015

Sharon was always soft spoken and kind. She was a wonderful mother and wife and the soulmate of my best friend.

We will miss you so. God Bless and rest in peace.

January 5, 2015

I'm still trying to understand that Sharon won't be with us at the next Dye Study group meeting. I value her friendship and her humor. She always loved whatever we worked on, and jumped in with enthusiasm with her many artistic abilities. Her life ended too early, but she will never be forgotten.

January 5, 2015

Dick & Sean,
I haven't see you for many years but hear about you all the time from my brother. We are so sorry for the loss of Sharon, she was great & a wonderful mother. You are in our prayers. Tom & Merrie Elsberry

January 5, 2015

Dick and Sean,
Please accept Lynn and my profound condolences for the loss of your dear sweet wife. Such a unique, gifted person. I'll never forget standing in awe of Sharon's "felting factory" and seeing her artistry on display. My gosh, what a loss; what a terrible loss. You and Shawn will be in our thoughts and prayers.

January 5, 2015

Dick and Sean, you are in our thoughts and prayers. You loss diminishes us all. The Melvin Family

January 5, 2015

I was to teach at the Potomac Craft Guild and the day I was flying out I got a call that she would be my host. The person who I had been in contact with had the flu. Sharon had stepped in and was a marvelous host. She was kind, caring and talented. So sorry to hear of her death. She will be greatly missed.

January 5, 2015

I am so,so sorry to hear about Sharon's passing, my thoughts go out to her family and friends at this time.
I was part of a felting group with Sharon a few years ago. Sharon not only opened her studio for the group but also somehow managed to make us feel that this was our place, a special place where we could get lost in the wonderful world of felt. Her perfection shone through in her work, her creative edge that she so freely shared with us all was special. Sharon shared so many tips and ideas it was endless fun. I have left a flower for you, I imagine it to be beautiful in its colour, smiling in the sunshine, just like Sharon, forever in our memory she will be sorely missed by many.

January 5, 2015

I am so grateful that I got the chance to meet her. Only a few days - but she touched my life deeply. I won´t forget our nightly conversations about textile art and craft, sharing visions and knowledge, being serious and laughing. My toughts go out to her family and I will keep her in my mind as an energetic and big soul full of visions and ideas.

January 4, 2015

I did not know Sharon well. She was someone I met at the dinner table at the Felter's Fling and spoke with on occasion. She seemed to be vibrant, full of life, and just a really good person. I was startled when I heard of her passing. She was way too young. My condolences to the family. Her loss is felt by many.

January 4, 2015

Sharon inspired many people to learn and see fiber art with joy and excitement. She always knew how to make it better. She touched many lives. She will be greatly missed.

January 4, 2015

Sharon was so kind, encouraging and helpful to us all, but especially those of us who were new to FeltLOOM. She saw my mistakes as examples of opportunity and gave me confidence to continue. Her generosity and creativity will be missed greatly, but her influence will continue through those fortunate enough to have met her.

January 4, 2015

The world has lost a good one. It is easy to see this in reading all these tributes. Even so our words fall short. We miss her more than words can express.

January 4, 2015

It has taken several days for the fact that Sharon is no longer with us to register. Her kindness, sharing, vitality, enthusiasm and wonderful sense of humor will be missed. Her artistic talents were superb. On her quest to master new techniques or improve on an old one Sharon was always happily willing to share the road to success with her colleagues.

January 3, 2015

Sharon's smile was one of her amazing attributes and will be missed. I know that her husband and my friend will miss her immensely and that his life will never be the same. With sincere condolences and sympathy. Rest in peace, Sharon.

January 3, 2015

Being a part of FiberStudio at VisArts with Sharon allowed me to be a small part of Sharon's circle and I'm glad of that. Her artistry will be missed.

January 3, 2015

A truly gracious and inspiring lady. Sharon shared freely and her work truly inspired those of us lucky enough to have her cross our path.

January 3, 2015

Sharon was a vibrant and generous person. Her studio is legendary and I know the best part for her was that she got to share. Delightful laugh, always a big smile...a bright light at any gathering. I am so sorry for all those close to her. I can only imagine your shock and sadness. She was a ball of talented creative energy. I am thinking of you all, my feltmaking friends who were close to Sharon and all of her friends and family

January 2, 2015

I had the pleasure of sitting next to Sharon during Andrea Graham's PODS Workshop in May, 2014, and in typical Sharon style, she made a gorgeous colorful pincushion pod during the class, but then went home the night before the last day, and made another. She must have been up half of the night, to complete that pod in such a short period of time. But that was Sharon, always creating and never tiring of learning and trying new things. She had such an amazing depth of knowledge that she could talk about Japanese fashion styles right after talking about microns and mommes for felting. She will be sorely missed!!

January 2, 2015

What can you say about someone who was the essence of inspiration. Sharon had a "fire in her belly" to create. She would often work long into the night to get the effect she wanted. She demanded her best from herself all the time.
But not just in her art. She was the soul of enthusiasm, generosity and grace. To be in her presence was to feel comfort and joy. She always was trying to do that little bit more to make you feel special and noticed.
She was small in body but huge in character and heart. I felt like she was someone I could always count on and learn from, and I am missing her like so many others---profoundly. I will always love you Sharon.

January 2, 2015

How can someone so ALIVE taper out so suddenly??? Amazing and incredibly sad! I will always remember Sharon for her generosity, creativity and good cheer...

January 2, 2015

While known for her fabulously creative hand-felted items, Sharon was also a newly-minted handspinner. She participated in a small group of friends who meet informally to spin and chat. Like everything else she touched, Sharon succeeded with spinning the very first time she tried it. Our spin group will miss her warmth, her laughter, her sense of fun, her sense of color, and the creativity and artistry she brought to her work and inspired in our work.

January 2, 2015

So sad is the news that I still can't find the right words!! I will really miss Sharon's generous heart. Her laughter and her creativity. I am so glad I met her and she has left a mark in my heart. I will always remember her..

January 2, 2015

Sharon was sweet, generous, funny and very talented person. There are not enough words to describe how I feel. Sometimes you just know when you connect with someone and Sharon was one. My thoughts go out to her family. Sharon, I will miss you but know you will be there looking over my shoulder guiding me in my work. When I see a butterfly it will always remind me of you!

January 2, 2015

Thank you, Sharon, for being so warm, kind, artistic, generous, funny, and delightful. Your love of people and fiberart caused you to seek out new learning opportunities which you then shared with others, often in your own home studio space, thereby helping to further cultivate and nurture a lively, skilled felting/fiber community. I am so grateful that I could share one last precious visit with you last fall, exploring new fiber art methods and simply celebrating good life together with good friends. Thank you for the lessons and laughter… you won’t be forgotten.

January 2, 2015

Dear Dick and Sean,
I was so very heartbroken to hear the news about our wonderful Sharon. We met in the felt world but connected on so many other levels. Her passing is going to leave so many holes but I am forever grateful for having Sharon in my heart and having had such a wonderful, giving and generous friend. I will remember my many visits to your home and the time you visited me in Pittsburgh. Loving and healing energy is coming your way. I hear her wonderful laugh in my head and will hold it close to my heart forever.

January 2, 2015

While I admired Sharon and her felting creations I saw her kindness, vitality, and amazing creativity when we were both members of the Fiber Studio at VisArts. I am not a felter but last night I worked with some roving in her honor - wrapped around me was my inspiration in the form of one or her fabulous creations.

January 2, 2015

Heartbroken to read of Sharon's passing. She was such a ray of light to all who had the good fortune of meeting her. I was blessed to have been in two workshops with Sharon at the Felters Fling and she left such a positive impression. She had such an amazing ability to make everyone feel at ease. She was such a talented artist, yet unassuming, and so willing to share her vast knowledge. And, that beautiful smile and marvelous sense of humor....Why we laughed so hard on a number of occasions that I was in tears. What a gift she was.

Holding Sharon's family and friends in my heart and prayers. Sharon will be greatly missed.

January 2, 2015

I was totally in shock and heartbroken at the news this a.m. Sharon was a gentle, unassuming, gracious and totally creative woman. I admired her work, her ethics and her genuine warm heart. I will miss her.

January 2, 2015

The news of Sharon's light going out came to me via a dear friend while I was away for New Years. Like so many others in Sharon's world I have been inspired by Sharon's creative eye and dedication to being the best at whatever media she was working in. Our felting group often collaborated on projects for either a charity event of a public display of felt to celebrate our love of felting. Sharon was a force in introducing us to felters of the world who came to teach for our lucky group of ten women, often in her home studio. Now we will have to continue to immerse ourselves in our chosen medium without our queen.

January 2, 2015

Words are inadequate.

Sharon was a kindred spirit. She was a comrade in creativity to those who knew her through her art. She had an eye for quality, design and whimsey. Her vision and spirit added beauty to the world in a myriad of ways. My heart goes out to her family.

January 2, 2015

I've had to take some time to let this awful news settle in. I'm in total shock as Sharon and I were in the midst of an email 'catch up! The day she got ill - she had to rush off to breakfast but promised 'more' later; I was impatient and sent an email teasing her wondering where 'more' was . . . We shared some precious fun times that we laughed about often; she had the knack of making everything fun. A couple of things come to mind but especially when we made our body doubles at a workshop and had to carry them through the lobby of the hotel - Sharon had such a petite figure and shorter than me, but the way I had wrapped the tape around her much further down her torso made her 'body' look like a giant compared to mine when they were placed facing each other on top of our dresser in the room we shared - we laughed and laughed so hard that we couldn't sleep. So fun. This is how I will honor her by remembering her wonderful, creative and generous spirit and how much she enjoyed and loved life.

January 2, 2015

Sharon was a good and generous friend and an inspiration to so many of us. She made everyone feel so welcome in her home and studio. She was the driving force in keeping our felting study group together and progressing. Her creativity was admired by each and every one of us. Her absence from us will leave a large hole. She is irreplaceable and unforgettable.

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Recent Tributes

December 31, 2023

We always remember you,Sharon.
Your grace,your kindness and your friendship.
Rest in peace.
We miss you.

December 31, 2023

Sharon I think about you so often. Your creative spirit remains to teach me and remind me of the joy of making and experimenting. When I wear something you made I feel a bit of your spirit come through it. Time has rushed by but my gratitude and love remain as strong as ever for you.

December 31, 2023

Thinking of lovely Sharon today and her kindness she always showed. I remember she made sweaters for me and my mom. We miss her talent and love. ❤️

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Gallery

Sharon and Sean during Christmas vacation in Florida visiting Vizcaya Mansion in 2003.

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Our morning trip to the tidal basin in 2008 to enjoy the cherry blossoms

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Staying with you guys in DC

December 31, 2021

Richard, I am remembering Sharon today and the gracious host she was when Andrew and I showed up to stay at your house. I particularly remember sitting around your table in the Jefferson Airplane house (!) and laughing about I don't remember what with Sharon. She always brightened my day! :)

Sharon's last gift to us - Dec, 2014

December 31, 2015

Top Ten Gifts to Ourselves and to Others

Hugs == to someone who is lonely.
Love == to someone who has nothing to give in return.
Patience == to someone who is struggling with life.
Freedom == to someone who needs to find his own destiny.
Guidance == to someone drifting in a sea of anxiety.
Understanding == to someone who is confused.
Tolerance == to someone who doesn't see things the way we do.
Kindness == to someone in pain.
Forgiveness == to someone we feel has harmed us.
Softness == to someone who has not yet removed their hard shell;
perhaps they need a piece of soft wool that is felted!!!!

January 11, 2015

Pictured are Shelley Jones, Pam Hill-Byrne and Sharon. We had just completed a workshop on thread painting at Susan Levi-Goerlich's studio, back in July 2012. This was what became the first of many over the next 2 1/2 years. Our group of 4 became 6 with the addition of Eileen Martin and Meg Romero, all gathering at Sharon's fabulous studio! We named ourselves The Creative Playground. Our mission; to share ideas and inspirations, explore new techniques and materials and to have fun. And that we did! I will always be grateful for the chance to know and work with such a creative group of women. Sharon was the "glue" that held us together. She was generous, inspiring, fun and a good friend. I will certainly miss her.

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