Sharon Dawn Gavel Church

SHARON — Our mother, Sharon Dawn Gavel Church, a 78 year resident of Sharon, died with her daughters by her side on Friday, December 9 at the age of 82 in Saratoga Springs, New York. 

Mom was born on May 13, 1940, in Canaan and raised by her loving parents, Alice Judd Wike Gavel and Paul Gavel. She was predeceased by half-siblings Helen Wike Humeston, Paula Gavel Weigel, and Edward Charles Wike, Jr.  Mom graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School, Class of 1958. Remarkably she remained best friends for 76 years with her classmates from first grade, Constance Gilderdale, Edith Gorat, Dawn Kilmer, and Barbara McEnroe.

Mom worked at Berkshire Transformers in Kent before marrying our Dad, Alanson Church, in 1960 and starting their family. Mom worked tirelessly on their dairy farm while raising us four children and keeping a beautiful home. She worked at Sharon Hospital for 30 years and took great pride working in the OR where she touched the lives of many patients.

Mom loved being outside working in the gardens at home in her retirement years. She always spent her life immersed in nature. She fondly reflected on her ability even as a young child to sense when the change of season was upon us or rain and thunder was approaching. Mom marveled at all aspects of the natural world and gave gratitude to Mother Nature and all of her wondrous beauty. 

Mom reminded us daily of what a wonderful childhood she had–how lucky she was to have grown up in the 50’s during what she considered the best time in history–neighbors caring for one another, taking pride in family, home, and country. 

Mom is survived by her four children, Paul and his wife Linda, Joseph and his partner, Amy, Angela, and Elisabeth and her husband, Greg Garofalo; her five cherished grandchildren, Bianca and her husband Bob Narvaez, Oliver and his partner, Diana, twins Madeleine and Ian Cook, and Gabriela Garofalo; her precious great-grandchildren, Lucy and Ollie Rae Narvaez; her nieces, Donna Humeston Barlowe, Lynn Humeston,  Donnalynn Weigel Dawson, and Lori Weigel Bruschi and nephews, Butch and Edward Weigel.

Mom was most thankful for her life and her four children. She will be returning to the land, her home, that she loved so on White Hollow Road; this was her greatest wish. In the end all there is only LOVE…Soar and fly high our beloved Mother until we are together again…

A private family service will be held in the Spring. Online remembrances may be made at www.armerfuneralhome.com