Sharon Jeanne Francis, nee Rinal, passed away on June 25th, 2023 at her home in Lebanon, Ohio following a recent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Sharon was born on May 25, 1946 to Richard Warren and Doris Jeanne Rinal, nee McVicker in Waukegan Township, Lake County, Illinois. She grew up in Hamilton, Ohio and graduated from Taft High School. Her best childhood memories are of the time she spent in Darrtown, Ohio with her grandparents and her sister. Sharon attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 1969. She later attended Miami University where she earned her Master of Science degree in Education with a focus on Child and Family Studies in 1989. Sharon retired from Hamilton City Schools in 2011 following 28 years as a School Nurse, most of which she served as Lead School Nurse. She was a member of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Loveland, Ohio for several years. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, brother (Jon Rinal), and sister-in-law (Gail Rinal). She is survived by her husband of nearly 56 years, David Francis, daughters Tara (Svante) Lindberg of Lebanon, Ohio, Kate (Ken) Reed of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Courtnay (John) McCart of Lebanon, Ohio, son, Tyler (Zisha) Francis of Fishers, Indiana, sister, Sally (Kim) Johnson of Isle, MN, and grandchildren Lukas and Mattias Lindberg, Annika Reed, Mason, Maddox, Xander, and Xavier McCart, and Trewman and Cooper Francis.

Sharon was a kind and generous person who enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She loved visiting with her grandchildren and hearing about all their adventures. She spent many hours caring for her younger grandsons and always made herself available to help her family. Sharon taught her children and grandchildren the importance of helping and caring for others, whether it was just a few words to a stranger, or choosing a career focusing on serving others. She was the inspiration for her family to always work hard and believe in themselves. Sharon spent her life showing others that happiness can be found from within.

Sharon was a talented craftsperson who painted, sewed, and produced detailed needlework. Most of her projects were designed as gifts to family and friends. Her most recent passion was knitting complex patterns and giving her creations to people she cared about. Sharon always had a dog or cat for companionship at home. She also enjoyed long walks, reading books, and trying new recipes to share with others. She enjoyed decades of friendship and sharing meals with her friends in her Gourmet Group.

Following their retirement, Sharon and Dave enjoyed a variety of European and North American travel destinations including Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, England, Ireland, Scotland, Greenland, and Iceland as well as the Bahamas, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland. Most recently, they visited National Parks including the Rocky Mountains, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, Banff, and Lake Louise.

Sharon will be deeply missed by all who knew her, including her goldendoodle, Paisley. A celebration of Sharon's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Fifth Third Bank, 122 N. Broadway, Lebanon, Ohio 45036 and checks to be make payable to The McCart Family Memorial Fund.