Sharon K. (Whitmire) Kowalchick

Sharon K. Kowalchick, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend died tragically on November 27, 2020, at the Berwick Hospital.  She was 77.

Born September 14, 1943, in Berwick, she was the daughter of the late Carl E. and Thelma (Molyneux) Whitmire.

Sharon is survived by her beloved and devoted husband, Dr. Thomas L. Kowalchick, with whom she would have celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on December 17.

She graduated from Berwick High School in 1961.  She then studied at Geisinger Medical Center and earned a degree as a Radiological Technician.  She graduated at the top of her class.  She worked at Lancaster General Hospital and St. Joseph Catholic Hospital in Lancaster.  In 1974, she worked together with her husband to build and establish his veterinary practice, The North Berwick Animal Hospital.  Throughout her married life, she took tremendous pride in her role as matriarch, homemaker and memory maker for the entire family.

Sharon’s devotion to her family was an inspiration to all who loved her.  She cared about everyone and brought warmth and happiness to the room.  She loved celebrating all of life’s major and minor moments and was always generous of heart and time.  She paid close attention to every detail to make things special.  She loved family birthdays and holidays, especially Christmas and Halloween.  She is well known for creating magical holiday moments and hosting her extra special Grungy Grammy Café experience.  Her loving and kind spirit radiated in all she did.  One of her great pleasures was spending time with her family in Cape May, N.J.  She was always a great storyteller, loved playing games and her sense of humor and quick wit made her fun to be around.

She will always be remembered for her readiness for company and willingness to host get-togethers for family and friends.  She was enthusiastic about helping with any project, including: sewing a costume, cooking a favorite delicious recipe, creating a display, learning a song, writing a speech, planning a party, supporting a fundraiser and anything to help other people.

Sharon’s faith was an important part of her life.  She was a devout Episcopalian and committed to her spiritual journey throughout her entire life.  She was a member of Christ Episcopal Church of Berwick.  She served on countless committees and took on leadership roles, including:  Vestry, ECW, Alter Guild, Choir, Senior Warden, Church Bazaar, Pascagoula Mississippi Mission Team as well as teaching and designing curriculum as a Sunday School teacher for many years.

Sharon was committed to her community.  She took on philanthropic endeavors and worked on the Berwick Hospital Auxiliary, including volunteering many hours working at the hospital gift shop.  She actively worked on the Berwick Bicentennial Group and is a Life Member of the Berwick Historical Society.  When her children were in elementary school, she was a founding member of S.U.P.P.O.S.E.:  a parent group that supported Orange Street Elementary School.  She volunteered for many years as a Girl Scout Leader.  She also supported adult literacy as a reading tutor.  Additionally, she and her husband worked together creating displays for the Berwick Jaycee’s annual Christmas Boulevard.  She participated in an International Rotary Conference at the United Nations and enjoyed hosting participants from England, Turkey, Argentina, India and Japan through Rotary’s Global Group Study Exchange.  She also took great pleasure in creating Christmas gift boxes for Samaritans Purse and providing clothing and toys for local children each year.

Sharon was a lifelong learner and curious about a wide range of topics.  She took courses in Education at Bloomsburg University.  She was a thoughtful and meticulous student.  She also loved learning about other cultures, history, ancient civilizations, archeology, geology, and nature’s treasures.  She was an avid reader and loved books of any kind.

Music and art played an important role in Sharon’s life.  She was extremely creative and a talented artist.  She enjoyed creating artwork with pastels, charcoal and acrylics.  She also created beautiful works in stained glass and fabric art.  She had the most beautiful soprano voice and sang in church and community choir.  She also played the piano to the delight of her children, grandchildren and best friend.  She especially enjoyed playing and singing hymns and Gospel music.

Sharon’s family loves her so much for her beautiful soul and generous spirit.  She will be greatly missed by those who love her dearly.  She always showed kindness to all and had a warmth that brought comfort.  While she struggled for many years with extreme daily pain and the debilitating effects of chronic Lyme Disease, she showed tremendous courage, strength and grit.  She was extraordinarily family-focused, deeply proud of her husband and children and she treasured her grandsons.  She inspired the good in all of us.

In addition to her parents, Sharon was also preceded in death by her father-in-law, Stanley J. Kowalchick and mother-in-law, Betty E. Kowalchick.

Sharon is survived by her loving husband, Dr. Thomas L. Kowalchick; three children:  Leigh Ann Kowalchick, of Harrison N.Y. and her boyfriend, John C. Mann of Riverdale, N.Y.;  Tracy L. Kowalchick, of Perkasie, and her boyfriend, Harry D. Yanoshak, of Hatboro;  Thomas S. Kowalchick and his wife, Shayla, of Berwick; and three grandsons:  Mitchell S. Kowalchick and his fiancée, Amber Coolbaugh, of Scranton; and Asher and Griffin Porphy, of Harrison, N.Y.

Sharon is also survived by a brother, Carl E. Whitmire, Jr. and his wife, Judy, of Berwick;  brother-in-law, Stanley J. Kowalchick and his wife, Mary, of Millheim; and nieces and nephew:  Debra (Whitmire) Yachimowski, Jayne (Whitmire) Burke, Michael Whitmire and Jennifer (Kowalchick) Claus.

All are welcome to join Sharon’s family for her viewings from 6-8 PM Friday, December 4th at the Kelchner, McMichael & Readler Funeral Home, Inc., 119-121 E. Third Street, Berwick, and from 10-11 AM Saturday, December 5th at Christ Episcopal Church, 712 E. 16th Street, Berwick.  Sharon’s funeral will be private.  Reverend Fred Stevenson will officiate.  Her interment will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, Walnut Street.  Online messages of love and support can be left at www.kelchnerfuneralhome.com.