Sharon Jeanne Perszyk Fidler

Sharon Jeanne Perszyk Fidler, 82, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away on July 25, 2026.

Born on March 26, 1944, in Traverse City, she was the daughter of Anthony and Blanche McCarthy Perszyk.

A 1962 graduate of Traverse City Central High School, Sharon was the valedictorian of her class. In her early years, she performed in numerous plays at the Cherry County Playhouse and studied dance with the New York City Ballet.

She earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in East Asian Literature from the University of Michigan and lived in Taiwan gaining fluency in Mandarin. She later worked for the Traverse City Area Public Schools as the head of the ESL (English as a Second Language) program, a highlight of her career.

Sharon’s life was rich with many interests including English Morris Dancing, playing the recorder and psaltery with musical groups such as Zephyrs 5 and HAMMER’d, and transforming her yard into a beautiful garden. Sharon was a longstanding member of the Friends of the Light Church of Traverse City.

She was a cherished mother, grandmother and wife and is survived by her daughter, Anna Fidler of Corvallis, Oregon; her son and daughter-in-law, James Fidler and Virginia Stanard of Detroit; her husband, Richard Fidler of Traverse City; her brothers, Tony Perszyk, Dann Perszyk and Dann’s wife Jinx Perszyk; and grandchildren Willow Riley, Greta Fidler, William Fidler, and Ann Fidler, who were the lights of her life. 

Sharon also leaves behind treasured extended family members Tom, Lee, Mai Xiong, Mai Ia, and Mai Ze Vang.

In addition to her parents, Sharon was predeceased by her brothers, Bill Perszyk and Tim Perszyk of Traverse City. She was also predeceased by her dear cat of twenty years, Katy.