Sharon Lynn Baswell, age 89, passed away peacefully at her home in Traverse City on April 27, 2026, surrounded by her loving family and pastor.

Sharon was born November 9, 1936, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, to Jasper Lynn Baker and Ruth Georgina (Kellner) Baker. She was baptized on December 27, 1936, at Iroquois Avenue Christ Lutheran Church, beginning a lifelong journey of faith that remained central to her life.

Sharon pursued her calling in education at the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University, preparing for a career that would become both her profession and her passion. She began teaching fifth grade in Fremont, California, where she inspired countless young students. Life then led Sharon and her family on a remarkable three-year adventure to Tehran, Iran, where she taught at Tehran American School and Peruzzi International School.

After returning briefly to California, Sharon’s path brought her back to Michigan, where she settled in Saginaw and found her calling teaching autistic and emotionally impaired children at Millet Learning Center. Her compassion, patience, and dedication made a lasting difference in the lives of her students and their families.

In retirement, Sharon settled in Traverse City. She remained active in both faith and service as a devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church and continued sharing her love of teaching as a substitute teacher at Trinity Lutheran School.

Sharon had a spirit of adventure and was an avid traveler, proudly saying there was nowhere left she needed to go or anything left she needed to do. She lived fully, loved deeply, and treasured time spent with family, dear friends, and her Mahjong partners.

Sharon was preceded in death by her son, Scott David Baswell, who passed in July of 2004.

She is lovingly remembered by her sons, Brandon (Cindy) Baswell of Holt and Matthew (Yogi) Baswell of Charlotte, North Carolina; her grandchildren, Emily (Lou), Brandon “Beeper,” and Elizabeth “Libby”; along with many dear friends whose lives were enriched by her warmth, wit, and friendship.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 10:00 AM until the time of the Memorial Service at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Memorial contributions to Trinity Lutheran Church would be greatly appreciated