Sharon Page

When reflecting on the life of Sharon Page, words such as patient, tender, and selfless are the recurring melody throughout her lifes song. She devoted her time to caring for the children she loved more than life itself no matter the personal cost. Sharon struggled with health issues throughout her life, yet she had an overabundance of joy as her constant companion. She made us smile and warmed our hearts simply by being the extraordinary woman she naturally was. There will be a void in all our hearts and lives that will never be filled without Sharon here, but her memory will remain a lasting treasure for generations to come. The late forties were a welcome sight to the eyes of wearied Americans as the early part of the decade was dominated by WWII. The decade prior was one of great struggle due to the unrelenting grip of the Great Depression so by the time the war ended in 1945, we were ready to move forward once again. Young servicemen and women returned home to their families and the baby boom that remained in place until the mid-sixties was underway. During this time of renewed hope a young couple from Muskegon, Michigan, was getting ready to experience growth within their hearts and home as they were eagerly awaiting the birth of a new baby. Their wait was over on April 7, 1947, when the healthy baby girl they named Sharon Rose drew her first breath. Her birth was celebrated by her parents, Charles and Mabel (Aldridge) Muskovin, and she was raised in the family home on Seventh Street alongside her younger two siblings, Charles Jr. and Carol. Sharons father worked at the CWC Foundry while her mother worked at the Clark Stamp Company. In many ways Sharon experienced an upbringing that was rather typical for the youth of her generation. She used to fight with her brother at times like brothers and sisters typically do, and the Muskovin family went to church and took annual summer vacations as well. Sharon attended local schools and graduated from Muskegon Heights High School. She planned on continuing her education and went to Missouri to attend college, but she had bad case of home sickness being so far from family and friends and she soon returned to Muskegon. As a young woman Sharon, along with some of her girlfriends, wrote to soldiers who were fighting in Vietnam. It was through this experience that she met a young man from Little Rock, Arkansas, named Jimmy Page. They finally met when he came home, fell deeply in love, and were married in 1969. Sharon and Jimmy settled in Little Rock where he attended college. Together they were blessed with three boys: David in 1971, Travis in 1975, and Kevin in 1981. Sharon worked some outside the home including as a clerk at a local grocery store and as a cook and table manners instructor at a daycare center. Although Sharons marriage to Jimmy ended in divorce in 1988, she was forever grateful for the three boys they shared. After her divorce in 1988, Sharon and her boys moved in with her parents in Muskegon for a time until they found a place of their own. As a single mother she worked hard to support her boys and held down several jobs through the years. Her first job was at Midwest Spring, she then worked for Fashion Bug for a time, and she finally settled in at the Donnely Corporation where she remained for many years until she retired. Being a mother seemed to be a role that was tailor made just for Sharon as she effortlessly embraced the enormity of the task. From the moment her first son was born her children came first in her life. She loved her sons unconditionally and always made things work out - even with money was tight. Sharon was dedicated to caring for her son, David, who has special needs, yet she always gave her other boys what they needed as well. Her unending love and selfless spirit were clear when she worked hard to save enough money to take her children on vacation to the Upper Peninsula and to Mackinac Island, as well as a trip to Texas on one occasion. More recently Sharon was thrilled with the expected arrival of her first grandson, Isaac. When she had time to herself, Sharon enjoyed pursuing some of her interests. She especially liked going to the casino with some friends from time to time. Heading to the mall to window shop was another favorite activity. At home Sharon loved spending time in her garden. One of the things we loved most about Sharon was her great sense of humor. It was no secret that she wasnt really all that great in the kitchen so her boys learned how to prepare the meals instead. In fact, they even joked that Sharon used the smoke detectors much like most people use a kitchen timer! Life was not always easy for Sharon and for several years she was plagued with health issues. She had diabetes and suffered a couple of heart attacks, and it was her health issues that finally forced Sharon to retire. Despite her challenges Sharon still did her best to maintain her home and care for David who lived with her. Through the life she lived each day, Sharon Page was a true gift in the lives of those around her. She viewed her boys as her greatest treasure and worked tirelessly to show them how deeply they were loved. Taken from those she loved much too soon, Sharon will be deeply missed and warmly remembered. Sharon R. Page died on Friday, December 9, 2011. Sharons family includes her sons, David Page, Travis (Melissa) Page, and Kevin Page, all of Muskegon; grandson, Isaac; brother, Charles (Deb) Muskovin of Muskegon; sister, Carol, (David) Lee of PA; special cousin, Rose Ache; and nieces, Leyna, Heather, Shelby. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents. Services will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2011, 11:00 a.m. at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.