Sharon Helen Demianiw

Sharon Demianiw, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and friend, of Port Orchard, died March 21, 2014 at home.
Sharon was born Nov. 27, 1945 in Bremerton to Archie and Greta (Palmgren) Eslick. She grew up in the Navy Yard City area where her parents encouraged her creativity and musical talents, skills she used to the utmost throughout her life. Her father was an active member of the Masonic Order and thus The Order of the Rainbow for Girls became an important part of her life. She served as Worthy Advisor of Manette Assembly and was a Grand Officer and recipient of the Grand Cross of Color. After graduating from West High School in 1964, Sharon attended Olympic College and graduated with a degree in education from the University of Washington.
Mutual friends introduced Sharon to her husband, Tony, whom she married in 1967. Sharon often said that road trips, swap meets, and time with Tony provided her with some of her greatest joy. The birth of their son, Scott, was another of Sharon’s truest blessings. She was delighted to assist and support his scouting career and was more than proud of his Eagle Scout Award. She was elated when Scott followed her into a career in education.
Her true heartfelt joy came from her grandchildren, Sam and Stella. Friends often heard stories about their projects and successes academically and athletically. Sharon treasured shopping trips, attending sporting events, overnights, and just spending time with them. Sam and Stella meant the world to her.
Sharon was a born teacher. Her career began in South Kitsap as an elementary teacher and she retired from Bremerton Schools where she served as a Reading Specialist at Kitsap Lake Elementary. She touched many young lives even in retirement as she continued to work on summer programs and reading testing. She looked for and often found “teachable moments.”
Music was very important to Sharon. She was the organist at Elim Lutheran Church for many years and she was the accompanist for the Puget Soundsters. Finding an old Steinway piano in the Bremerton YMCA that was to be demolished along with the building, Sharon rescued and fully restored the piano after much research and planning. She truly was the consummate learner and she loved the process of research and discovery.
A talented seamstress, Sharon created beautiful quilts, clothes for her grandchildren, and gifts with the help of her sewing machine affectionately named “Lola.” She had an eye for color and a heart filled with compassion for others. She taught quilting classes to women at the Mission Creek prison, participated in quilt guild activities and retreats, and even master-minded a pillowcase project which involved enlisting the assistance of numerous friends to create hundreds of pillowcases for the homeless and less fortunate.
Sharon’s nature was one of giving and one of service. She sought ways to help others. She was a true “connector” who often found a need and sought resources to fill that need. One such endeavor was serving at the Family Kitchen.
Time in the garden brought solace to Sharon as did her home. Beautiful flowers, fountains, and treasures filled her living space. She loved animals and was especially fond of her birds and the company of her dog Casabella.
Travel with friends and to visit friends, discovering distant relatives, listening to books on tape, attending movies, concerts, plays, books and visits with friends filled her life. She was a dear friend to many. Sharon was always the first to call or express concern and stood by many during celebrations and trials. Her optimism and life approach was to live each day and celebrate it. She was gracious and dignified as she did just that.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Eric Eslick. Surviving are her husband Anton (Tony) Demianiw, son Scott Demianiw, daughter-in-law Kim Demianiw and grandchildren Sam and Stella Demianiw. She will be deeply missed by family, former students, co-workers and her many, many friends. The fabric of her life quilt has brought warmth to many. She will not be forgotten and she was deeply loved.
A memorial and celebration of her life service is scheduled for Friday, April 11, 2014 at 4:30pm at Elim Lutheran Church in Port Orchard. Attendees are invited to bring a quilt to hang over the pews to help celebrate if they wish. A reception will follow.
Memorials can be made to Bremerton Foundation with a note that it is for the Sharon Demianiw Kitsap Lake Library Fund. Memorials can be sent to:
The Bremerton Foundation
c/o Bremerton School District
134 Marion Ave, N ,Bremerton 98312.