Sharon Murphy Fortier

Sharon Murphy Fortier passed away peacefully, after nearly a decade of bravely living with Lewy Body Dementia, surrounded by her family in Grapevine, Texas.

The daughter of Hank and Burnice Murphy, Sharon was born in 1939 in Alice, Texas. She completed her undergraduate study at Texas Woman’s University and taught reading at schools in Colorado, Texas and Alaska. She married James R. Fortier in 1967 in Anchorage. Sharon received her Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Washington and taught in Woodinville, Washington until her retirement to Weatherford, Texas in 2002. She was a talented painter, seamstress, enjoyed reading, mah jongg and most of all laughing with her family and friends.

She is preceded in passing by her husband and parents. Sharon is survived by her daughters Mikaron F. Gruenberg and Robynlea Fortier, her son-in-law Josh Gruenberg, her grandsons, Jonah and Elliot; her siblings, Mikell and Dave, Margwen and Carl, and Don and Rita; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family in Maine.

A private service to celebrate Sharon’s life will be held this spring in Arlington, Texas. Memorials may be made to the Girl Scouts of the USA: http://www.girlscouts.org/en/adults/donate.html or a charity of your choice.