Sharon Kay Washburn

Sharon Kay (Grounds) Washburn, age 80, of Morral, Ohio, passed away on April 7th, 2021, at her home in Morral, Ohio surrounded by her loving family.

Sharon was born on December 3rd, 1940, to the late James Frederick and Juanita Lucille Rice Grounds.  She was preceded in death by her beloved high school sweetheart and husband, Ronald Vaughn Washburn.

She is survived by two children: her son, Jeffrey Lynn (Diana Myers) Washburn of New Albany, Ohio; her daughter, Christine Kay Washburn Boe Naher (Richard (Rick) P. Naher) of Morrow, Ohio; three grandchildren: Kyle Alexander Washburn (Mikaila Wiley) of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Lillian (Lily) Augusta Boe (partner Ian Gorman) of New York, NY and Andrew Magnus Boe of Boston, MA. 

Sharon is survived by her siblings: her sister, Gloria Jean (Jack) Griffith of Meeker, Ohio; her brothers, David (Dave) LeRoy (Lynn Riley) Grounds of Brush Ridge, Ohio and Joseph Clay Grounds of Sandusky, Ohio; her Uncle Malcolm (Mac) LeRoy Grounds of Marion, Ohio; her sister-in-laws: Susan (Bo) Merlack of Morral, Ohio, Linda Grounds (Karl Miller) of Wagener, South Carolina and Judy Grounds of Naples, New York and several beloved nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her brothers: James (Sonny) Frederick (Judy) Grounds and John (Danny) Daniel (Linda) Grounds, brother-in-law, Dean Ray (Susan) Washburn, father-in-law Roland Dale Washburn and mother-in-law Lillian Christine (Eisenbarth) Washburn.

Sharon began her life as a shy girl from humble beginnings and went on to be a member of Ridgedale High School's very first graduating class in 1958 following the merger of Morral and Meeker High Schools. At Ridgedale, Sharon was honored as the school's first ever Homecoming Queen and was escorted to the dance by her beloved Ronald V. Washburn, whom she had loved since the seventh grade. After high school, Sharon remained a bright star and lifelong learner who loved to educate herself by reading anything she could get her hands on – particularly true stories and books about local and national history.  She worked for the General Telephone Company, Fulfillment Corporation and Commercial Savings Bank.  Outside of work, she was an Election Board Member and Salt Rock Township Fire Department Member in Morral and served as a Girl Scout and Boy Scout leader for each of her children.  Sharon also spent many years making food (especially home-made noodles) for the Morral Firemen’s Festival. However, her greatest love during these years was being a homemaker, mother, and wife.

In her later years, Sharon was proud to run the Washburn family farm, which thrived due to her tenacious negotiating skills and unwavering standard for consistent, high-quality work. Sharon instilled these same values of honesty, integrity, compassion, education and hard work in her children and grandchildren. Taking care of the farm was one of Sharon’s true passions and on sunny days she could often be seen mowing the lawn on her favorite John Deere tractor.

Sharon married Ronald, her high school sweetheart, on July 14, 1961. Together, they saved their money to build a home on the west side of Morral that Sharon designed and raised their children on the family farm.

While Sharon was conservative in many facets of her life, she was extremely generous to her family and close friends.  She loved her family with unwavering passion and shared all that she had with them. Some of her fondest memories included camping at Mountain Lake and summer trips to New York City with her family, where she loved attending Broadway musicals (especially Mamma Mia!). Sharon always provided her family the physical, financial, and emotional support they needed through both good times and bad. This wholehearted support has been highly influential in the success that her family members have found in their lives. An enthusiastic proponent of education, Sharon was overjoyed to see her children and grandchildren all graduate from college in her lifetime.

Family was paramount to Sharon. She was extremely proud of her family and always eager to talk about her children, Jeff and Chris and her grandchildren, Kyle, Lily and Andrew as well as their accomplishments. Mom, Grandma and Best Friend to all of us, she will remain in our hearts forever.  Words fail to convey how much she will be missed by her loving family.

Sharon believed that Ronald Vaughn, her soulmate and true love, is waiting for her with God in heaven. With that knowledge, she had a peaceful passing with her family at her side.  Born-Boyd Funeral Home, Marion, Ohio will handle the arrangements. A graveside ceremony will be held on April 12, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. at Grand Prairie Cemetery with Pastor Steve Sturgeon of Trinity Evangelical Church of Upper Sandusky presiding. 

Donations in Sharon's name may be made to the oncology unit at The Wyandot Memorial Hospital in Upper Sandusky, The James Cancer Center at the Ohio State University in Columbus, American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.