Sharon Waring was born in Bend, Oregon on March 11, 1927. She was proud to be a lifelong Oregonian and felt fortunate to live in "God's country." Shortly after Sharon's birth she lived with her aunt, Maude Waring Huff. Maudie died when Sharon was five years old, and she then moved to Sandlake, Oregon. She lived on the family dairy farm for several years with her aunt and uncle, Maude and Charles Atkinson, and their children Jim, Bob, Stella, and Roy. The Atkinson kids treated Sharon as their little sister. Sharon's own brother, Fred Waring, remained close to her throughout her life. During World War II, Sharon moved to Portland, where her son Stephen was born. She married Ben Spangle in 1950. They lived in St. Johns for nearly 30 years where they raised son Doug and daughter Shawn. For most of her married life, Sharon was a homemaker. Family vacations generally were camping and fishing trips along the Nehalem River in the Oregon Coast range. Sharon clipped coupons and stretched their income, and in 1978 she and Ben moved to the property they purchased on Newberry Road near Linnton. It took some adjustment, but after a short time Sharon came to enjoy the country lifestyle, and remarked often that it wasn't everyone who could live in the country and be only ten minutes away from downtown Portland. Sharon enjoyed the view from her kitchen window, and became an avid birdwatcher and crossword puzzler. She loved the outdoors and animals of all kinds. She also loved her home overlooking the Willamette River and, with assistance from her children and the generous support of Providence Hospice, was able to remain there even as her health declined. She died after a short illness, surrounded by her family.