Sharon Kearney Jones

Sharon Kearney Jones

1944-2023

It is with great sadness we tell you that on June 7, 2023 Sharon Kearney Jones passed away from the effects of a sudden severe brain aneurism in Ukiah, CA.

Sharon was born June 5, 1944 in Birmingham, England to Patrick M. Kearney and Marian (Stovin) Kearney and attended local schools and started her ballet training.

At age eleven, Sharon was accepted by competitive examination to live and study in the founding class of the Royal Ballet School at White Lodge, Richmond Park, London. After completing the Royal, Sharon then attended the “Arts Ed” in London before starting her professional dance career touring in France, Italy and beyond.

In 1966 Sharon joined Pan Am World Airways as a flight attendant and flew routes all over the world from her base in San Francisco. There she met her future husband Emmett Jones in 1969. They married in 1970 in Inverness, CA and lived in San Francisco.

In 1973 Sharon and Emmett moved to San Jose, CA where their son Nick was born in 1974. Wanting to find a place to make a longtime home, the family moved to Ukiah, CA in 1976.

In 1982 Sharon became a proud Citizen of the United States.

In her early days in Ukiah, Sharon taught ballet before turning her attention to creating her hillside flower garden – a large terraced area crisscrossed by paths that surrounds the family home. She knew both the common and Latin names of everything. Anyone who had the opportunity to walk these paths with Sharon and enjoy looking at her work could only marvel at the beauty of the flowers and plants that resulted from her artistic skills and great effort. It is hard to imagine that one person could have created it all.

Over the years there were always a few cats around the house (often adopted feral or stray) who because of Sharon’s care and attention often lived into their late teens. These kitty friends kept Sharon company as she worked in her garden.

Because of her travels, Sharon was familiar with the cuisine of many countries which inspired the dishes she prepared to the delight and enjoyment of her family and all the friends she welcomed at her table. Sharon read extensively, spoke three languages and enjoyed talking with family, friends and acquaintances on topics that interested them.

Sharon is survived by her husband Emmett, her son Nick of Los Angeles, CA, her brother Michael (Rigmor) of France, her sister Jackie of England and her brother-in-law Edward (Pam) of Austin, TX, as well as many friends made in her school days at White Lodge, her time with Pan Am and in her 46 plus years in Ukiah.

Sharon devoted herself to creating a home where she gave love, care, kindness and comfort to her family which she always put first. Anyone who met her immediately enjoyed and appreciated all that she was. To say that she will be missed cannot express the loss we all feel, but we will remember Sharon, her love, kindness, elegant style and talent and keep her in our hearts for all our days.

To honor Sharon’s wishes no service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sharon’s memory to either Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County, 9700 Uva Drive, Redwood Valley, CA 95470 or Hospice of Ukiah, 620 So. Dora Street, Ukiah, CA would be appreciated.