Sharon Ward

Sharon Thompson Ward, age 91, died peacefully, Sunday, March 26, 2017 at Life Care Center of Ammon.

Sharon was born in Brigham City, Utah, on August 27, 1925. She graduated from Box Elder High School and attended Utah State University for a short time. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega. World War II called her home from college to help at Thompson Hardware, the family owned business. Sharon regaled all who would listen with stories of her fond memories growing up in Brigham City: of Peach Queens and dances; of beautiful dresses Grandma Thompson made and her fine artistry; of Scarlet Fever and eating licorice; of the magnificent singing voices of Grandpa Thompson and Aunt Geri; of her many friends and their pranks; of gentle, hard-working Uncle Stayner and Aunt Dorothy; of Gramps & Ga-Ga; of working at the movie theater and learning in the hardware store about "left-handed" screwdrivers; of bridge parties and golf. As dementia claimed her, these were her only memories.

Sharon became a war-time bride when she met and fell in love with Grant Charles Ward from Willard, Utah. They were married in 1944 in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He called her "Sal." While Grant completed his time with the Air Force and trained to be a master floor technician, Sharon worked for Makoff and RCA Rubber. Sharon and Grant owned and operated several businesses over the years including a Spudnuts in Tremonton and one in Cuyahoga Falls. They finally settled in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where they opened Grant C. Ward Floor Covering, later Ward's Carpet Warehouse. Sharon and Grant raised three children and taught them good work ethics at the family business. The couple worked through the ups and downs of life as best they could, but eventually divorced in the 1990s.

Sharon was a dynamic business woman. She is mentioned in the Who's Who of American Business Women. She had the honor of traveling to Scotland to speak at a Floor Covering convention for men only. Sharon opened Owen Distributors, Inc., a wholesale outlet for home and business furnishings around 1971. Sharon employed her children and many of their friends to help fill "idle time." She taught us so much! She would say, "Let me show you a trick I learned in the army." When we were little, we really believed she was in the army! Her home was always a safe haven for those who needed a place to stay. Sharon was a generous "giveaholic." She provided financial aid and support to many, no strings attached, often to her detriment. She believed in the good of people! Sharon was an artist. She created treasures out of scraps. She left her talented touch by decorating many of the homes and businesses from this valley to Wyoming, Montana, Utah and Arizona. She created special holidays, parties and social events. She shared her flare as a volunteer candy-striper in the gift shops at the Sacred Heart Hospital and the LDS Hospital. She built award-winning floats from scratch for the Fourth of July and Pioneer Day parades. She hosted fashion shows and golf tournaments. Sharon was a friend. She worked tirelessly managing campaigns, supporting causes, cooking, cleaning, driving taxi, listening and advocating for those she loved. If you ever asked her what SHE might need, she replied "Time and Money."

Leisure time was limited and Sharon filled it with friends and family. She loved to play bridge, fish, golf, and throw parties. She owned lovely homes in Star Valley Ranch, Wyoming and Big Sky, Montana; always welcoming others. She will be missed!

Sharon is survived by her children, Lauri (Clint) Felts, and Michael Ward, of Idaho Falls. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Morganne Ward of Idaho Falls, Amanda (Craig) Miller, and Samantha (John) Pauley, and five great-grandchildren, Preston, Connor and Adelyn Miller, and Bennett and Jameson Pauley, all of Portland, Oregon. She was preceded in death by a son Charles Thompson Ward of Idaho Falls; her parents Lavon and Roy Thompson of Brigham City, UT; her sister Geraldine Mariani of Salt Lake City, UT; and her brother Stayner Thompson of Brigham City, UT.

There will be no services. In lieu of flowers, create something beautiful, cook something delicious, throw a party, do something with a friend, make a donation. She would have loved something like that. Her favorite motto was "I Did It My Way!" And, she did.