Sharon Ann Everett passed away peacefully on December 15, 2025, at Trustwell Mission Springs. She was born on June 10, 1944, in Beloit, Kansas, to Harlan and Henrietta Heiman Everett, where her family lived while her father served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. She is survived by her sister, Sister Ann Charles Everett; her brother, Harlan Everett, and his wife, Lana, of Crossville, Tennessee; as well as her nieces and nephews.

Sharon graduated from St. Agnes Grade School and St. Teresa’s Academy. She attended Duchesne College in Omaha before graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduation, she began her teaching career in Tustin, California and discovered she would be able to live out her dream of seeing the world by working for the Department of Defense Overseas School System and teaching children of military families. As soon as she had the required number of years teaching, she applied and was rewarded with teaching assignments in Germany, Turkey and in Japan.

After nine years, she decided it was time to return to the United States. Before heading home, however, she spent a year backpacking solo across Asia and Europe—traveling through countries along the Silk Road, visiting villages in Thailand, Afghanistan, and Iran, and exploring many of the places she had only read about in National Geographic. She followed wherever the next truck or train would take her, ultimately ending her journey in Spain. A remarkable adventure for a courageous woman who never let language stand in her way. Some of her earlier experiences were captured in “How to See the World on a Teacher’s Budget,” published in the KC Times on July 28, 1978—written before her extraordinary year-long solo journey abroad.

After returning to the United States, she continued her teaching career with the San Diego City Schools and earned a master’s degree in Elementary Education from San Diego State University. She also became an active member of the Alzheimer’s Association, working closely with Dr. George Glenner and serving on the Alzheimer Family Board of Directors.

Following her retirement, she became involved with San Diego Catholic Worker. As Denys Horgan, editor of the Catholic Worker newspaper, wrote, “I cannot take credit for the enormous miracle that Sharon Everett, a retired schoolteacher and dedicated Catholic Worker, pulls off twice a month.” Denys would load his pickup truck, along with her camper van, with clothing donated by supporters and carefully sorted by Sharon during the week. Together, they brought these items to a church plaza, where they were distributed to those living on the streets of San Diego after breakfast had been served.

She also spent time visiting nursing homes, bringing comfort and companionship to residents. Her life was marked by deep compassion and a constant readiness to help wherever there was need. Sharon found great peace in attending community Masses with the Catholic Worker community and was inspired by the work of Father Peter Gyves, SJ, whose ministry, “A Faith That Does Justice,” called others to live out their faith through action.

Sharon led an incredible life of work mixed in with travel, fun and her strong faith and trust in the Lord aided by her mom’s novenas and her aunt’s rosaries that kept her safe. Never one to shy away from a new experience, she embraced every adventure—from kayaking and long-distance cycling, including the MS 150 and the famed Ride Across Iowa, to birding expeditions in places as varied as the Amazon, Cape May, and the remote regions of Alaska. Around San Diego, she even rode her motorcycle, often using it to find easy parking at popular events.

Sharon never met a stranger and was always ready to lend a helping hand. One of her greatest joys was bringing happiness to others. She warmly welcomed each of her nieces and nephews to stay with her in San Diego for as long as they needed while finding their way after college.

We thank Ascend Hospice workers for their care and support for Sharon in her final days. Sharon will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered for her compassion, love and care for all those she came in contact with including the care she gave to her many pets she had throughout her life. We thank her for all she gave to so many knowing she has earned her eternal reward and is at peace.

The celebration of Sharon’s life will be held on Monday, April 13, 2026 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 416 W. 12th St., Kansas City, MO, with visitation at 11:00 a.m. followed by Mass at 12:15 p.m.

Donations can be made to San Diego Catholic Worker, P.O. Box 127244, San Diego, CA 92112 or to St. Teresa’s Academy, www.stteresasacademy.org/giving.