Sharon Anne Crist, 71, passed away April 8, 2014 in Kennewick, WA. She was born August 23, 1942 to Ruth and Marcus Oberin in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up on a farm near Homewood, Illinois and graduated from Crete-Monee High School in 1959.

After graduation Sharon enrolled in Mosier Secretarial School. Students were required to wear suits, heal and gloves. For Sharon, it was quite a "challenging" education. After graduating from school, she worked for several attorneys. Later, she decided to pursue a career in education. In order to facilitate that, she moved to Denver in 1967. She enrolled in Metropolitan State College. While attending college she worked for Kelly Girls to support herself. In 1968 she met and married her husband, Lowell Crist.

Looking for new horizons, Sharon and Lowell moved to the Tri-Cities just before their son Marc was born in 1969. Sharon continued her education at the Joint Center for Graduate Study, taking courses from Central Washington and Eastern Washington Universities. She earned a BA degree from Central Washington University. Her teaching credentials were from Eastern Washington University. She started her teaching career as a long-term substitute for the Richland School District. She was later hired by the Kennewick School District. She began teaching a transition class at Fruitland School. She moved to Lincoln Elementary, where she taught first grade. Sharon earned her Masters of Education, with an emphasis in reading from Washington State University. Upon receiving her master's, Sharon transferred to Southgate Elementary as their Reading Specialist. She always enjoyed the challenge of finding the right combination of lessons to make students successful.

Upon retirement in 1999, Sharon and Lowell more earnestly pursued their travel desires. Their primary mode of travel was their RV. It took them for a summer tour in Alaska and a trip to New York City, following the fall colors in the Northeast USA. There was also a visit to the Maritime Provinces of Canada. All together, they visited 49 states during their travels.

Sharon loved to read, bake and quilt. She always had a quilt in progress, which she would give away to her friends for special occasions. She also loved flowers, especially her rose garden. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi.

She is survived by her loving husband, Lowell, son Marc Crist Nita of Kennewick, and aunt Lenore Billows of Yerington, NV.

A celebration of Sharon's life will be held Saturday, April 26th at 10:00 a.m. at Einan's Event Center, 915 Bypass Highway, Richland, WA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tri-City Cancer Center, 7350 W. Deschutes Ave Bldg. A, Kennewick WA 99336