Obituary

Sharon Ann Blazine Freudenberger was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 13, 1940. She passed away peacefully on March 1, 2024, in Woodinville, Washington. Sharon was raised in Elmhurst, IL, graduated high school from Immaculate Conception, and received a bachelor’s degree in education from Marquette University in 1962. After which, she moved to San Francisco and met the man she would eventually marry in 1966.

Sharon believed in family first, being a dedicated mother to 3 children.  Her life was faith-based with spirituality playing a huge role. Though a dedicated Catholic, she spent many hours studying other religions and perspectives.  She taught religious education to children through the Catholic church. Sharon was an avid reader and an amazing listener. She was open-minded, and thoughtful and gave meaningful advice. There was nothing more rewarding for her than discussing new ideas with her friends and family.

Sharon had a great love and appreciation for nature, working endlessly in her gardens, nurturing hundreds of orchids, and tropical plants in her greenhouse. Sharon loved all animals, and all animals loved her. She adopted multiple dogs from local rescues, including senior dogs where she could ensure that they ended their days in complete comfort.

Sharon had a love of horses since she was a little girl and was able to fulfill her dream of creating Fantasia Farms where she bred and raised thoroughbred hunters/jumpers. Sharon was extremely proud of her involvement in developing the Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Program, matching her love of horses with her desire to help people.

Later in her life, she turned to donkeys, adopting two young donkeys from the Bureau of Land Management in Reno, NV. Patiently she raised them as beloved family pets until she could no longer handle the daily work and found them a permanent home in a multi-generational family winery, where they were sure to get lots of socialization and care.

She had an incredible will to live life fully. She had the strength and perseverance to handle all that life threw at her with grace and humor.

Sharon is survived by her husband, Kent, her sons Todd and Jon, her daughter Kara, her twin sister Karen, and her beloved grandchildren, Ella, Tessa, Julia, and Bryce. A memorial service will be held later this spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity near to Sharon’s heart, Pasado Animal Sanctuary at Ways to Give – Pasado’s Safe Haven (pasadosafehaven.org)