Sharon Dee Lamoreaux Pearce, aged 87, of Wyoming, ran into the arms of Jesus on Monday, January 26 after a difficult battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Her life was an answered prayer of her adoptive parents, Sybil and Richard Lamoreaux. Her parents guided her to faith at Grandville United Methodist Church where she was a member most of her life. Bright and articulate, and always an avid reader, Sharon attended Michigan State University with the dream of teaching high school English. Her path changed when she met and married Bob Pearce. Together they built a crazy, loud, beautiful family. Sharon’s constant love and sacrifice were felt by all who knew her. She quietly led by example, never wanting the spotlight, but content to support those around her. She always put the needs of others first, even stepping in to raise children who were not her own.

Sharon was the person everyone sought when school papers needed editing and revising. A task students despised, Sharon would roll up her sleeves with a cup of tea and a smile, enjoying the sometimes massive challenge. After raising her children, Sharon worked at a dry cleaner, then went back to school, utilizing her skills working at Foremost Insurance until she retired.

Sharon was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Bob Pearce,11 months ago. She is survived by her son, Tim Pearce and daughter, Nickie (Tom) Swanson. In addition to her husband, she was greeted in Heaven by her eldest son, Ron Pearce, Sr., her eldest daughter, Laura Beerens, and an infant granddaughter, Angela. Sharon also reluctantly leaves behind many grandchildren: Jennie (Mac) Hernandez, Ron (Bri) Pearce Jr., Mike Beerens, Ashley (Jerrod) Mindykowski, Heather Pearce, Tyler (Shyanna) Pearce, Rick Six, Cody (Emily) Swanson, and Lexi (Matt) Ackerberg. Sharon also leaves behind great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and friends and extended family too numerous to list.

We know that this earthly death is not goodbye. Instead, it is a “see you later.” Death is not her defeat, but rather her victory. “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1Corinthians 15:55) We know she has defeated disease here on earth and is enjoying perfect peace in Heaven. Goodbye for now, until that future time in Revelation 21, where “God will wipe away every tear and there will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain.”

A special thanks to the extraordinary caregivers at Mom’s residence for making a loving home for her these last two years. Per Sharon’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A private memorial will be held by the family at a later time.