Sharon Lynn Fillner

Sharon Lynn Fillner (Hastings) was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on December 28, 1956, to Kevin and Dorothy (Woodmansee) Hastings. She was the eldest of four children(Kevin Jr., Karen [Artzt], and Erin [Sprowl]). She graduated from Sam Houston High School in 1975. In 1978 after thinking she was becoming an “old maid” at 22, she met her devoted husband Michael on a blind date to a lake with their best friends. She lovingly referred to it as the time she was “so nervous only to meet a skinny, chicken-legged guy”. If you knew her, you know that that “skinny, chicken-legged guy” she met would eventually become the key to her beautiful and blessed life.

On September 15, 1979, they would walk down the aisle and begin that amazing life together and then proceeded to welcome five smart, caring, and devoted children (Michael Jr., Jennifer, Jessica, Marissa, and Joshua). Their lives were full of love, companionship, and care. Sharon was born to be a mother, and out of everything in life, she truly was a mom in all aspects(even occasionally being referred to lovingly as “party mom”). Together with Mike, they created the best memories that anyone who is blessed to know their children has had the pleasure of being shared through stories and inside jokes. 

While being a mother was a blessing to her, being a Gramma was her ultimate happiness. She leaves behind twelve beautiful, smart, and amazing grandchildren: Aidan, Sophie, and Iain Fillner, Jacob, Casen, and Hattie Cabler, Emmalyn, Aven, and Remington Brown, and Kaeleigh, Chelsea, and Nathan Henderson. She was the best gramma in the world to them; never lacking in hugs, cuddles, laughs; well thought-out birthday and Christmas gifts that meant something special to each of them; and time by attending events, concerts, games, etc., even when she felt “crummy”. Any one of them can give you a memory of being with Gramma and they knew they were alwaysso loved and adored by her.

She could light the world with her big, bright smile, her infectious laughter, and her stories... she was full of stories, and she loved to share them. Her parents fondly always say, “We spent the first 6 months of her life trying to get her to talk and the next 65 years trying to get her to shut up.” She would share so many memories of her childhood like when her brother Kevin would antagonize her and her sister Karen, or affectionately hovering over her baby sister, Erin, her jobs, her friends, her vacations; she had a knack for telling stories and spinning even the hardest times into funny recollections. She would tell of when her and Mike first got married, memories of all her kids’ childhood antics and how they always (and still) made fun of each other, and talking about her girl’s night outs with her best friends. There were endless stories that never failed to make you laugh, cry, or just smile. 

There wasn’t a book she hadn’t devoured. She had so many, Mike even had to build her a library to display her collection,and she loved to share her affinity for reading. Sharon adored being by the water; be it the beach or on a cruise. She created endless blankets for loved one’s babies, cross-stitched beautiful treasures, and baked with the best of them. She shared her love endlessly by making others happy. She went out of her way to be present; if someone needed something she was there. 

She welcomed her children’s spouses and significant others as her own. She made Julie her daughter, and Jeremy, Phillip, and Codi her sons. She adored Josh’s girlfriend, Stevie. She shared her joy by making sure that all of them were included as much as her own children. She rejoiced in everyone’s triumphs and achievements, she was a shoulder to those who needed it, and she was a voice when there needed to be reason. 

On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, she took her last breaths surrounded by her cherished family both near and far. They were all together in some way and were able to assure her that she was loved. Her pain is over; her body is healed. She no longer has to wake up hurting or pretend to be okay, which gives all of her family tremendous peace. 

She is survived by her loving husband Michael, her children Michael Jr. (Julie) of Enid, MS, Jennifer (Jeremy) of Wichita Falls, Jessica (Codi) of Arlington, Marissa (Phillip) of Decatur,and Joshua (Stevie) of Mansfield, her 12 grandchildren, her parents Kevin and Dorothy of Endicott, NY, her brother Kevin (Jane) of Vestal, NY, her sister Karen of Easley, SC, her sister Erin (Charlie) of Bay City, and countless nieces, nephews, and other family members who will deeply miss her presence. 

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that you please donate in her memory to the American Kidney Foundation.

© (Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home)

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