I moved to CA from PA when I was 24 yrs. old.  I didn't really know my Aunt Sharon and her children that well because they always lived in CA.  Soon after my arrival, my Aunt Sharon called me up and invited me to Thanksgiving to welcome me into "the CA family."  I appreciated how Aunt Sharon made me feel welcomed and not so alone.  The invitations to family events and good food where always made, although life became busy and I couldn't always attend. Aunt Sharon and I shared a love for cats and she always would email me the cutest cat photos or stories.  I always emailed her back that she made me laugh or put a smile on my face.  Sharon would continue emailing cute stories or sending sweet notes long after I knew she wasn't feeling well.  I used to email her and tell her that she was my hero because she remained positive and was determined to enjoy life until the very end. Aunt Sharon was an incredible grandmother.  I don't know any grandmother that was so dedicated and proud of her grandchildren ( she did have a right to brag...her grandchildren are pretty amazing kids!!)  I work with alot of teens and Ryan and Kenny are respectful, courteous, intelligent and talented kids.  I know Linda and Tom deserve credit for great parenting but I'm sure Aunt Sharon did her share of helping to make sure her grandkids turned out as good as they did.  My most favorite memories is of Aunt Sharon in the past 7 years when the Hollenback siblings all gathered in Newport Beach for vacations.   Seven years ago was the first time I had ever seen all the siblings together.  Boy, did they ever have fun.  They played card games for hours, laughed and played jokes on each other.  It was such a sweet memory.  

I know Aunt Sharon is now with my dad, Jim, her other brothers, Gary and Stevie, and her Dad, Harold.  I know they are enjoying being reunited and probably wishing they could tell us all not to be sad. 

I'm grateful for the time I had to get to know Aunt Sharon better.  She was a beautiful woman who loved and lived with all her heart. 

Robbie Hollenback Thomas

Tom, Ryan, David and Michael played 18 holes on Memorial Day 2011 at Casta del Sol in Mission Viejo dedicated to Mimi's honor.  They plan to play every year and will eventually bring in David's son, Michael, and Michael's son, Vinny.  New family traditions have begun! 

Missing Mimi

Now that your gone,
The memories remain of what used to be,
Your beautiful smile,
The sound of your laugh,
Your heart of gold,
You wore on your sleeve,
Those big blue eyes,
Filled with love,
But most of all,
the love you gave,
You always had faith,
You never gave up,
You always found a way,
I'll never forget the times we shared,
But most of all just talking with you,
You always had a way to make me see,
But most of all you made me believe,
You helped me see why,
you had to leave,
Your spirit was strong,
your body was weak,
He saw you struggle,
He felt your pain,
He held out his hand,
You grasped it tight,
No more pain,
No more struggles,
Just the comforts of Heaven,
With each day that passes,
I will miss you even more.

Before I was born my Mimi was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I was her first grandchild and we had a very special relationship.  We have all experienced the joy of Mimi and she leaves us with many memories.  I remember how she always worked so hard to prepare special holiday dinners.  We’d have her famous scallop potatoes, Christmas Eve crab dinner, corned beef for St. Patrick’s Day, lasagna and macaroni and cheese, which was my favorite.  Our very own recipe was broccoli cheese soup and we made it together often.  We had incredible birthday parties and Mimi would always contribute the finishing touches.  We went camping and motorcycle riding every school break for 6 years and Mimi even had her own little quad.  She was brave and fearless.  She would take us on firewood hunts and she herself would always drag back the biggest log imaginable – we loved fire.  She never missed a baseball, football or water polo game if she could help it.  She was always my biggest cheerleader.  I loved going over to Mimi’s house on Sundays to watch NFL football and participating in the football pools with her – this was something I looked forward to every week.  My memories of her will always be of how much she really loved me, how helpful she was with everything and her strong will to live.  Her strong sense of values, love for her children and grandchildren gave her the strength to carry on and confront her illness.  She was so self-sufficient.  In Mimi’s eyes there were never problems… only an infinite number of solutions.  She never liked to ask for help but she was always ready to lend a hand.  She was a wonderful, selfless person who sacrificed to make our lives better.  Today we celebrate how full her life was, how often she smiled and how instrumental she was in all our lives.  May we find peace in knowing how much fun she had and how much joy she brought to us all. I was very lucky to have the best grandma anyone could have for 17 years.  We love you Mimi!

To my sister and my friend, thank you for all the memories we have created over the years. You will never be far from our thoughts.

                                                                        With love Charmy

My sister, Sharon, was always a phone call away.  We talked weekly usually on a Sunday night and we both looked forward to the talks.  We talked about stupid things but we would always end up laughing.  She would listen to my problems and help me work them out.    

In the last few months it got to be harder and harder for her to talk to much, she would be so tired but she always answered my calls.  

I thank God that we had her for as long as we did.  She is at peace now enjoying her life once again.  

She will be missed but never forgotten!