Sharon Hope Baker, loved coastal living
With the sun rising gently in front of her, her family surrounding her, and her beloved dog, Georgi, snuggled against her, Sharon Hope Baker transitioned peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. She was 75.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, John and Frances McLaughlin. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Chuck Baker of Rehoboth Beach; her children, Angela Gassen (Vern) of Avon, Ind., and Katie Hope of Lewes; her grandchildren, Robin Gassen (Matt Dunn) of Overland Park, Kan., Kimberly Gassen (Drew Pinkston) of Merriam, Kan., Jack Whittam of Lewes, James Gassen of Warrensburg, Mo., Morgan Whittam of Lewes, and Shane Whittam of Lewes. She is also survived by her older sister and brother-in-law, Kathy and Walter Elder of Haymarket, Va.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Skip and Ruth Baker of Tualatin, Ore.; four nieces; and three nephews.
Sharon was born in Washington, D.C., March 30, 1948, the youngest child of John and Frances McLaughlin. She grew up in Silver Spring, Md., graduating from Northwood High School. She then began pursuing her college degree at University of Maryland. Over the next 10 years, she married Chuck, and welcomed her two daughters, Angela, and Katie, all while never missing a semester before graduating with her degree in journalism, though she did miss one class to give birth.
Her life’s journey next took her to Kansas, where she met her lifelong friend, Julie Blair, and worked as an office manager for several small businesses. From Kansas, the family moved to New Jersey. While there, she was active at Fairmont Presbyterian Church (complete with several giggle-fests while sitting in the choir pews), wrote for the Hunterdon Review, made many friends while working at Prudential, and became involved with Unity Church, even beginning work toward becoming a Unity teacher.
After 23 years in New Jersey, she moved with Chuck to Plano, Texas, where she enjoyed learning through the local Seniors Active in Learning program, reuniting with longtime high school friends, and enjoying many happy visits to the Dallas Arboretum.
As a teen, Sharon came to Rehoboth Beach for the first time with friends and family, and later on dates with her future husband, Chuck. After more than 30 years of annual family vacations, Sharon fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a Rehoboth Beach resident, retiring here in 2013. She loved Rehoboth and became involved at Cape Henlopen Senior Center, joined local book groups, attended Cape Henlopen sporting events to support her grandchildren, and followed Fredman’s posts. She felt strongly about supporting local businesses and was often found at Browseabout Books, The Point, The Ice Cream Store, Gus and Gus, Mariachi, or Clear Space Theatre.
While living in Rehoboth, she began taking daily sunrise photos, sharing them with her Facebook friends who commented on them, drawing the attention of others who in turn became Sharon’s Facebook friends. Through this simple practice, she included words of positivity, even when the days seemed grey. This digital community looked forward to her posts each day, and their outpouring of appreciation and love shows us all small acts can have huge impacts.
Sharon’s greatest joy was her family. She spent time as the PTA newsletter editor, Bluebird troop leader, Vacation Bible School activity leader, carnival prize chair, music boosters, and youth group leader. As her family expanded to include grandchildren, she spent many hours at softball games, dance recitals, marching band performances, football games, theatre performances, hockey games, and more, attending as many as she was able to, despite the distances. She shared their accomplishments with immense pride but also enjoyed the simple times of playing cards and games, family miniature golf competitions, Sunday night pizza, Friday night nachos, and long sandy days on the beach.
Though Sharon is no longer with us, may the lessons she taught us remain. Enjoy the sunrise. Take the picture. Fight injustice - big and small. Love animals. Treat all people with respect, even if you do not agree with them. Vote blue. And most of all, be kind.
Visit Sharon’s Life Memorial webpage and sign her virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
