Sharon Wigen Martin

Sharon Wigen Martin of East Wenatchee joined the Lord on July 14, at the age of 78. She is now with the love of her life, Jerry Ray Martin. Sharon's life was full of joy, family, friends and helping others. She began her life in Wenatchee, WA on September 3, 1932, as Sharon Lou Wigen. Her early childhood was spent in Wenatchee until her family moved to Bothell, where she graduated from Bothell Senior High School in 1950. During her school years she excelled in music as a gifted vocalist and played the accordion, piano, and clarinet. While attending Washington State University she studied business finance, became a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority and met her soul mate, Jerry Martin. They married on December 27, 1953, the semester prior to their spring 1954 graduation. Following graduation Sharon began her life as a US Air Force pilot's wife. She lived in and travelled to many exotic places, giving birth to her six children in Texas, Florida and Japan. With each move she always made certain her family had beautiful, caring and loving homes. From Tokyo to Frankfurt, and the many stops in between, she was a devoted wife, mother and active volunteer. Sharon was always involved in each of her children's classrooms, an active PTA member, a Girl Scout leader and regional cookie sale coordinator, baseball and football team mother and treasurer for several Officer Wives' Clubs. Sharon truly believed each person must build and support their communities through volunteerism and she followed this path throughout her life. During her 20 years as an officer's wife Sharon always called Wenatchee Valley her home and in 1975 returned to settle in East Wenatchee. She and her husband Jerry were orchardists, who also owned Inland Empire Enterprises, Inc., Waterville Cascade Trucking, Inland Transportation, KCWT television station and JRM Storage. Sharon continued her commitment to the community serving as Chairman of the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation, Treasurer of the Wenatchee Hospital Guild, Treasurer of Republican Women of Chelan/Douglas County, Civil Service Commissioner for East Wenatchee, Sponsor of Wenatchee Festival of Trees, member of the Downtown Wenatchee Rotary Club, member of Wenatchee Golf and Country Club, and member of PEO, her most notables among many. In 1995, she was honored with the Stemilt Progressive Grower Award. Sharon's other interests included traveling, golf, music, celebrating holidays, bowling and playing bridge especially with the esteemed "Barracudas." She was preceded in death by her parents, Birdie and Chet Wigen; her son, Brett Leyland; her daughter, Shelly Marie; and her husband, Lt. Col. Jerry Ray Martin, USAF (retired). She is survived by her brother, George Wigen; sisters, Mary Norman and Patricia Richards; her daughter, Lt. Col. Linda M. Phillips, USAF (retired) and her husband Col. Scott R. Phillips, USAF (retired); her daughter, Deborah J. Martin and her husband Chris Borovansky; her sons, Craig R. Martin and Scott J. Martin and his wife Brenda Martin. She was dearly loved and will be missed by her grandchildren Jennifer Francone, Christine Phillips, DeLayne Martin, Ruby Martin, Albie Borovansky and A.J. Borovansky; as well as her great grandchildren, William and Grant Francone and her nieces, nephews, and many other family members. Graveside service will be at Evergreen Memorial Park on Wednesday, July 27th, at 1 pm. Memorial donations may be made to, the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation, 1300 Fifth Street, Wenatchee, 98801 or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, NY. Heritage Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Sharon's children would like to thank all of Sharon's family and friends for the support you have given her over the past years. A special thank you to the Staff of Arbor Place in Medford, Oregon for the loving care you provided Sharon. (for Medford): Memorial donations may be made to, St. Mary's High School Foundation, 816 Black Oak Drive, Medford, OR 97504 or Rogue Valley Home Health and Hospice - Asante Health System, 2960 Doctors Park Drive, Medford, OR 97504)

Sharon Wigen Martin

September 3, 1932 - July 14, 2011