Sharon Lynn Heimbigner

Sharon Lynn Heimbigner

Jan. 28 1949 - Nov. 24 2023

Sharon Lynn (Birge) Heimbigner arrived in heaven on Nov. 24, 2023. Sharon was born to Cecil and Irene Birge on Jan. 28, 1949. She was the oldest child and only daughter of four children. She adored her younger brothers and loved being the only girl because she was the only one who got her own room. With four kids in a three bedroom house - having your own room was a big deal. Sharon grew up in Harrington, Wash and graduated from Harrington High School in 1967. Many stories have been told over the years of the havoc Sharon, the Dibble sisters and the Meyers girls caused in that little town. After graduation, Sharon attended Eastern Washington University and earned her bachelor degree in Social Work in 1971. It was at Eastern that Sharon met her future husband, Doug Heimbigner, on a blind date. He did not make the best first impression (there is a story to this that only a few people know) but somehow he won her over and they were married on July 22, 1972. Their son Chris was born in 1975 and their daughter Megan in 1982. Sharon and her family lived in Lacey, Wash. until 1986 when they moved to Ritzville, Wash. Ritzville was their home for 25 years. For the past 12 years, Sharon and Doug lived in East Wenatchee, Wash. close to both of their children and their families. Sharon started her career as a social worker at Tacoma Lutheran, then Area Agency on Aging in Ritzville for 15 years before getting a job at the Department of Social and Health Services in Moses Lake. She remained with DSHS until her retirement in 2007. After moving to East Wenatchee, Sharon realized that retirement life was not for her and she went back to work for the Area Agency on Aging in East Wenatchee and continued working there until Mar. of this year. Sharon was a social worker to her core. She loved her clients and helping people. She made a difference in so many peoples’ lives throughout the years. Her coworkers were like family and she formed very close relationships with many of them. Some of them referred to her as a “mom figure”, others told us how much they loved to tease her (all in good fun and let’s face it she was such an easy target), others talked about how she always gave good advice and was such a great listener. Sharon’s best job in life was being a mother and later on in life, a grandma. She was so proud of her kids and her cubicle walls were always filled with their pictures. There was not a sporting event, music concert, school play or dance recital she missed. Her kids’ friends often referred to Sharon as their “other mom” and she loved many of them as her own. When she became a grandma, her kids moved down the list as her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She supported each of them in all of their activities as well and nothing made her happier than spending time with her grandchildren. Sharon loved the Zags, college basketball in general and hated football. She would say she just did not understand it. She loved to read and always had a good book to pass along. Sharon had a green thumb that produced amazing flower beds every year. Guy’s Grocery Games was always on her TV if there wasn’t a Zag game or it wasn’t March Madness time. Her granddogs were so spoiled by her and she never said no to dogsitting them even if they made her so hot while sleeping but would not dare make them sleep anywhere else but in her bed. Christmas was her favorite holiday, especially a white Christmas. She never turned down Mexican food and loved those horrible gummy orange slices. Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Springsteen and Creedance Clearwater was the music she always played in the car or on the record player which she still owned. Sharon’s smile and laugh could light up the room. Many old friends and acquaintances have commented that Sharon was such a light in their life. She could also be sassy and would never hesitate to speak her mind. She never met a stranger and boy did she love to talk.

Sharon was a woman of faith. She loved the Lord. Her family found some of her recent journal entries where she states “I love you Jesus” and “I am not afraid to die as I believe in our Savior Jesus Christ and eternal salvation”. She is in heaven now, made new and no longer in any pain. We will miss her immensely but hold tight to our belief that we will see her again someday.

Sharon is survived by her husband of 51 years, Doug Heimbigner; her son, Chris Heimbigner (Julie); her daughter, Megan Heimbigner (Dan); her grandchildren, Alexa Heimbigner, Spencer Heimbigner, Tamrynn Heimbigner, and Carter Heimbigner; her brothers, Mark Birge (Tenley) and Dennis Birge (Marlis); numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Sharon was predeceased in death by her parents, and her brother, Timothy Birge. There will be a celebration of life for Sharon at a later date in Spring 2024. In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to Okandogs, 6820 Osprey Lane, Cashmere Wash. 98815.