Obituary: Sharon Ann Gribble McAdams, 58

Sharon Ann Gribble McAdams, 58, passed away peacefully in Petersburg, Alaska on March 15, 2013. Sharon spent her final days, per her wishes, in her hometown surrounded by her loving family, friends and co-workers.

She was born on March 18, 1954 in Juneau, Alaska, the youngest of two girls born to Richard and Vera Gribble.

Sharon attended and graduated from Petersburg High School. While in school she volunteered as a candy striper for The Future Nurses of America Club at the local hospital in 1970, where their motto was...”They aren't selfish in their actions and work to make the lives of others more pleasant. They do jobs that most people wouldn't do and they don't ask for glory. They give of themselves.” That motto embodied Sharon’s personality.

In 1971 she was a PHS cheerleader along with her lifelong friends Roxy Kaino, Linnea Zemke, Amy Joe Thompson and Sue Avery. Soon after high school graduation in 1972, she met and married Alvin “Mac” McAdams on June 22, 1972.

A year later her first child, Matthew Parrish McAdams, was born.

In 1974 the U.S. Coast Guard transferred Sharon and her family to Mobile, Ala. where a year later she welcomed her second child, Melanie Erin McAdams.

In October of 1979 the U.S. Coast Guard transferred Sharon and her family to sunny Oahu, Hawaii. While in Hawaii she was a housewife and mom then later became the admissions director/plank owner for the U.S.S. Bowfin in Pearl Harbor.

In 1989 Sharon moved back home to Petersburg to be closer to her family and started work at Hammer & Wikan where she held several different positions. She began taking night classes and studying for her CNA license, which she received in 2001. As a CNA she worked in the Petersburg Medical Center - Long Term Care Department. She dedicated her life to caring for others and in doing so she touched the lives of many. She was loved and admired by all of her co-workers and also by the residents that she took care of.

Sharon spent most of this past year undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. She has shown the most amazing character through her illness. She never complained or asked for any special considerations. She continued to work and serve others even during the times that she felt utterly exhausted. Her selfless giving character just kept on shining through all that she did.

She is survived by: sister Ginger (Chuck) Ressler; nephew Scott and niece Gina; son Matthew McAdams and granddaughters Haley and Marina; daughter Melanie McAdams and grandson Avery and Alvin “Mac” McAdams.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 23 at Petersburg Lutheran Church at 11:00AM. Interment will be at Petersburg Memorial Cemetery with a potluck reception to follow at The Holy Cross House.