Mrs. Sharon Dareen Smith Patterson, 86, of Onancock, passed away in the early morning hours on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, leaving a family in a state of bittersweet surrender — grateful for having been loved and cared for by the greatest woman they have ever known and haunted by the devastating loss of such a saint.
Sharon, the daughter of the late John Henry Smith and Charlotte Isabell Smith, was born in Newark, N.J., on Christmas Day 1937, which may be part of the reason that some of her grandkids took to calling her “The Holy Grail.”
Growing up in Newark, Bay Head, and Orange, N.J., in the 1940s and 1950s, Sharon learned to be resourceful, artistic, and curious. She loved to travel and found solace in nature. She and her husband, William Max Patterson Sr., traveled all over the world when he was in the military. Sharon lived in Koashung, Taiwan (where she found the most exquisite fabrics), Germany, Nebraska, Iowa, El Paso, Texas, and eventually retired on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
Sharon loved watching the sunsets and listening to the birds sing. She loved animals so much that she became a breeder, raising Kerry blue terriers, Siamese cats, and Irish setters. Anything having to do with the Emerald Isle piqued her interest.
As the matriarch of the family, she took on the duty of becoming the family historian, discovering generation after generation of her family tree. Over the years, Sharon wore many hats, but no hat was worn more proudly than the hat which read “MOM.” Sharon loved being a mom. In fact, Sharon loved it so much that she was often known to take in “strays” and took care of them as if they were her own.
She was never judgmental; she accepted people’s differences and was always willing to lend a hand. She found a way to care for everyone under her roof. She gave the best advice, told the best stories, and made sure to crochet a blanket for anyone who needed warmth and comfort. When someone was down, all Sharon had to do was play a song from one of her favorite bands, The Irish Rovers. She was an engaged listener, friend, and confidante, or as one relative put it, “My grandma is better than yours.”
Sharon is survived by her children, William Max Patterson Jr. (Beverly), Theresia L. Corea (Michael A.), Michael Sean Patterson, and Pamela Sue Patterson; grandchildren, Amy, Mickey, Jeremy, Jessica Rose, Jonathan, Jacob, and William M.; great-grandchildren, Sofia, Aubrey, Axle, Alcide, Christopher, Allison, Alexander Evan, Heaven-Leigh, Tiffany, Michael, Bryson, Harper, Dylan, Aidan-James, and Elijah; great-niece, Lexi; cousin, David; best friend, Barbara Hurley; several nieces and nephews; and many dear friends and relatives.
Sharon was predeceased by her parents, John and Charlotte Smith; husband, William Max Patterson Sr.; daughter and son-in-law, Patricia A. Patterson and Ralph Lambert; granddaughter, Katie-Rose Corea; brother and sister-in-law, Darrell F. and Nancy Smith; dear friend, Bud Hurley; and niece, Kelli Grasso.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at
www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements are by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.
