Sharon D. Barnes

Sharon, born and raised in Fredonia, NY in 1943 with her 2 sisters, enjoyed a happy childhood surrounded by many cousins and friends.

She graduated from Fredonia High School in 1961. Shortly after graduation she married her life long partner Charlie with whom she had 3 children Gregory, Tara and Shannon. Sharon also helped raise Bill Barnes, Charlie’s younger brother for several years after Charlie and Bill’s parents passed away unexpectedly. They spent most of their married life living on Temple street in Fredonia until they eventually moved out full time to their cottage in Van Buren Point, New York. Sharon was blessed with 8 grandchildren who loved her so very much. Her first one, Weston, was what transformed her from Sharon to MorMor. She was inspired by her Swedish descent and claimed herself to be “Mormor” which means mother’s mother after the birth of her first grandchild. MorMor had a special and unique relationship with each of her Grandchildren and no doubt could make them laugh and feel loved. “What happened at MorMor’s stayed at MorMor’s” to her daughters’ chagrin.

Along the way Sharon had several work experiences. When her children were little, she helped support the family by working at Ames Department store at the jewelry counter, which perhaps explains her love for jewelry – earrings in particular, can’t leave home without them! She also worked at The Gazebo Decorating Center, a family business at the time, helping many by using her sense of style to help influence their decoration decisions. Sharon also spent many years in real estate with ERA and then Howard Hannah. Sharon was passionate and took pride in finding the “perfect” house for every client she worked with and never felt good unless that goal was achieved. Recently, Sharon had been employed at First Student as first, a bus driver and then a monitor. She had a gift with these kids who would often light up when they saw her. She often could turn a bad day into a good one with her smile, warmth and humor. She even would bring them halloween treats and let them meet her beloved friend Towshwa, a 30-pound African Spurred tortoise.

Sharon’s laughter, beauty, warmth, and comedic personality will be greatly missed by her many friends and family, there will never be another MorMor like Sharon.

Sharon is survived by her sister, Joyce Tarnowski, Daughter’s: Tara Ley (Jeff Nelson) and Shannon Smoot (Jason Smoot); grandchildren: Weston Ley, Emma Ley, Olivia Ley, Maxwell Smoot, Adeline Smoot, Quinn Smoot, James Smoot, and Sam Smoot.

Visitation will be Sunday from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at the LARSON- TIMKO Funeral Home, 20 Central Avenue, Fredonia. Funeral services will be held at the Harvest Chapel Free Methodist Church, 39 Mattison St., Fredonia, Monday at 11 am.

On-line condolences may be made at

larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangments by David J. Dengler.