Parent Issue
Day
6
Month
April
Year
1989
Copyright
Copyright Protected
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Donated by the Ann Arbor News. © The Ann Arbor News.
Obituary
OCR Text

Sharon Watkins' job description was "policy analyst and communications specialist" for the information services department of the Ann Arbor Public Schools.
But for those who knew her and worked with her, that description was pathetically inadequate. Watkins, 53, who died at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Wednesday afternoon, was one of those rare individuals whose mere presence seemed to have a positive effect on everyone around her.
There were few dry eyes at the table when Schools Superintendent Richard Benjamin began Wednesday night's briefing meeting by announcing her passing only a few hours earlier. She died of complications from a chronic liver ailment.
"We all feel a great loss and know we will come to feel her loss more deeply as time passes," Benjamin said.
Watkins worked for the school district for 17 years. She served as director of school elections, secretary to the Board of Education and administrative assistant to the superintendent before taking her most recent job.
"Sharon had a very special warmth, a quality of acceptance of others, of rejoicing in the success of others, that endeared her to countless numbers of friends and colleagues," Benjamin said after the meeting.
He noted that she was the editor, and one of the prime writers, of "Grapevine," a biweekly newspaper for district employees. " 'Grapevine' was infused with her wonderful, intelligent wit," he said, "and she was so much a part of the personality of our office."
"To each and every one of the people who've been on the board while I have, she's been absolutely invaluable," said Board President Daniel Halloran. "I can't imagine the board ever functioning the same. We'll miss her terribly."
After she organized and directed a successful millage campaign in 1975, two board members wrote to then-Superintendent Harry Howard to express their "admiration of (her) truly remarkable skill and energy....Her cheerfulness and imaginative approach to problem solving are positive factors in assisting and indeed encouraging the efforts of others with whom she works."
She also was active in politics, was a longtime member of the Michigan Council for Women in Educational Administration, and served on the board of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.
A native of Highland Park, Watkins graduated from Redford Union High School in Redford Township and received her bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan.
She is survived by her husband, Spurgeon Watkins; two sons, Kevin and Kelly; a brother, Gerard Cooney of Ontario, Calif., and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Muehlig Chapel, with the Rev. Robert L. Potts officiating. The family will receive friends at the Muehlig Chapel from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Friday. Memorial tributes can be made to the Emerson Powrie Scholarship Fund of the Ann Arbor Public Schools or to the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.