Sharen

Today we will lay to rest one of the best people I have ever known. She has been my boss for the past 6 years or so and for a couple of years before that with a break in between. I came back just to fill in for someone who was sick and just kept increasing days until I became full time. She was a great boss. Oh how I'm going to miss:

Having a customer at the counter and looking her way and saying "What do you think?"
Her at the computer turning to me and saying, "What do you think?"
Hearing "Treasurer's Office, Sharen speaking" many times a day.
Watching her make a piece of cake last for hours eating it 1 bite at a time.
Eating her famous beef salad.
Listening to her talk about her family.
Watching her go to bat for her customers over and over.
Discussing the previous evenings tv shows.
Hearing stories of her younger life.
The way she talked to my family when they called.
Having her listen to my ideas not always agreeing but always listening.
Her brightly colored clothes.
Going to meetings with her.
That vast knowledge base that was her brain.
Her laughter.
and oh so much more!

I have learned so much about the job and about life from her. She would go out of her way to help anyone with a problem. She truly knew what the term public service meant. Sometimes we would shake our head but always we were proud to work for her.

From her I received respect that I always cherished. Thoughtful gifts. And most importantly friendship.

She spent the last 2 months in the hospital in Wichita. I was so fortunate to get to visit her while we were there for Teddy's birthday. I know she knew we loved her because we got to tell her. And we know she loved us too because she told us.

Terry will be doing the service. It will be one of the harder things he will be honored to do.