Sharon Kuykendall Stoner

Sharon Kuykendall Stoner, 77, passed away on March 22, 2021 at the UW Medical Center in Seattle due to sudden complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Her husband, Forest, and daughter, Jackie, were at her side. Sharon and Forest had just celebrated a wonderful 60 years together as husband and wife on February 18.

Sharon was born to Austin Glen Kuykendall and Jacquelyn Lillian Reynolds in Bremerton on August 26, 1943. She attended West Bremerton High School where she was a songleader, dancing and doing yells to music alongside the school band and cheerleaders at games. A good friend from school said she loved school and always looked darling-- partly why Forest, a fellow West High Wildcat, fell in love. And, in 1961 the two were married.

Early in her career, she worked as a bank teller in Chehalis and Bremerton, and then went on to retire from the South Kitsap School District after working as an Office Administrator at Cedar Heights Junior High and Marcus Whitman Junior High for many years.

Sharon and Forest traveled extensively after they retired. When not exploring far away sites in Europe, South America, and Asia, they enjoyed local RV camping trips to fish the rivers of British Columbia and to the family lot at Grayland. Sharon was an avid razor clam digger, often spotting clams in the sand when others could not. She also enjoyed numerous annual RV trips to warm and sunny southern spots in Arizona, Baja, and Puerto Penasco, where they made wonderful lifelong friends with fellow travelers from all over. When not in the RV, Sharon was busy planning boating trips to the San Juan Islands or kayak excursions to Blake Island, Lake Chelan, Jackson Hole, under the Narrows Bridge or through the Ballard Locks. They also enjoyed numerous outings on their motorcycle and in their 1957 Thunderbird.

Sharon loved to entertain family and friends at the family's home of 55 years, located on Mission Lake. She enjoyed gardening around the house and just sitting with family to enjoy views of the lake. Most of all, she cherished time with Forest and daughters, Karri and Jackie.

Throughout her life, she was known and loved by others for her beautiful smile, positive spirit, boundless energy, and knack for creating fun times. She was constantly taking care of business-- whether planning the next travel adventure, finding local entertainment for loved ones to get together, or lining up the next house project. Wherever she was, one would surely find beauty, laughter, and grace. She lives on through all who had the pleasure of knowing her and everything she made better in life.

Sharon is preceded in death by son, Jeffery Glen Stoner, and her parents. All are with Jesus now, and will be forever missed by family and friends.

A celebration of Sharon's life is planned for the 21st of May, 2 p.m., at Rill Chapel's Life Tribute Center in Port Orchard.

Donations are welcome and would be used for research to support the cure for pulmonary fibrosis. Donations may be made to:

"Center for Interstitial Lung Disease (UW)"

Med Specialties Clinic

c/o Dr. Ganesh Raghu

Campus Box 356175

1959 NE Pacific Street, 3rd Floor

Seattle, WA 98195