Mrs. Sharon Collier Fitzsimons

Sharon Collier Fitzsimons, 57, a true shining light to this world and inspiration to all who knew her, went home to her Savior on Saturday, June 23 at her home, surrounded by the loving care of her family. A lifelong resident of Traverse City, Sharon was born April 22, 1955 at Munson Hospital to Hugh and Sandra Collier. She attended Old Mission school and graduated from Traverse City High School, then continued her education over several years at Grand Rapids Baptist College, earned her B. S. degree from Central Michigan University and her Masters of Social Work from Grand Valley State University. In November of 1983, she married Paul Fitzsimons, who survives. She loved her Lord, her family and her many friends and found a way to touch the lives of all those she met. She was an employee of Munson Medical Center for 37 years, with her final 3 years spent as a dedicated social worker. Sharon was also an accomplished pianist, playing for many years at Immanuel Baptist Church. She enjoyed her many opportunities to travel the world with her family, visiting loved ones in Europe and seeing the far reaches of the world with her beloved rugby family. She also loved her time at home, particularly in the kitchen, baking for her children, their friends, the church and for any occasion that came along. She will be greatly missed. Sharon is survived by her husband Paul, sons Matt and John Paul, parents Hugh and Sandra Collier, sister Memzie Collier, Aunt Mary Tatom, Uncles Chuck and Mark Taylor, brothers-in-law, Pete Fitzsimons, Hans Tschurtschenthaler and Dr. Richard Dilley and sisters in law Mary Toomey, Jan Dilley, Candice Fitzsimons and Fran Cosentino, as well as a large loving extended family. She was preceded in death by her great grandparents Earl and Ida Lacure, grandparents Buck and Loetta Taylor, Hugh and Florence Collier and sister in law Kathleen Tschurtschenthaler. A celebration of Sharon's life will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 30th at Immanuel Baptist Church, xxxx McCrae Hill Rd., Traverse City, with Pastor Matt Herron officiating. Visitation will take place at the church beginning at 9:30 a.m. Cremation has taken place and the family will have a graveside service at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to a fund for her boy's education, to Immanuel Baptist Church Memorial Fund or to Munson Hospice. She would say to all, "Don't be sad that I am gone, be glad for the time we shared together." Please share your thoughts and memories of Sharon with her family by way of her online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being served by The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Mrs. Sharon Collier Fitzsimons

April 22, 1955 - June 23, 2012