Sharon (Mudgett) Hall

Sharon Hall of Hyde Park passed peacefully in the comfort of her home on Friday, January 17, 2025 with her loving husband by her side. Sharon was born on September 8, 1947 to Roy and Verna (O'Hear) Mudgett at Dr. Mann's Hospital in Jeffersonville, VT. 

Although Sharon was an only child, she loved her high school friends, B, D and K like sisters and remained friends throughout her life. Sharon graduated from People's Academy in Morrisville in 1965 and from Champlain College in Burlington in 1967.

A story of Sharon is a story of Sharon and Jim, her high school sweetheart and husband of 56 years. She and Jim lived in various areas of the east coast but always considered Vermont their home and returned to spend the rest of their lives in Hyde Park. She made many friends wherever they lived, but the group of friends made while in Norwich, NY know as the 'Bridge Group' became lifelong friends.

Sharon's most proud accomplishments are her daughters and the wonderful, talented, independent women they became. She especially loved the company of her granddaughter, Layla. Nothing else made her smile as big and bright. An accomplished bridge player and gardener, her greatest joy was spending time in the company of her family and friends.

Sharon was employed for many years in the appliance department at Vermont Electric in Johnson and at Vermont Public Power in Waterbury Center until her retirement. She was an avid volunteer at her children's numerous extracurricular activities, spent many years volunteering at Lamoille County Field Days, was Chair of the Hyde Park School Board and was involved in Lamoille Union Booster Club.

Sharon loved traveling and camping when the girls were young and in later years retained her passion for travel but preferred staying in hotels. Life is way too short. Hug those that you love, laugh with friends, family and most importantly yourself. Have that slice of cake or pizza, enjoy a glass of wine or beer. Life is tricky; find the good in it.

"I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one. I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when the day is done. I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the way, of happy times and laughing times..." -Afterglow by Helen Lowrie Marshall

Sharon was predeceased by her parents.  Remaining to cherish Sharon's memory are husband, Jim and daughters; Sarah (Mikey) Woods, Amy Hall and her partner Andrew Twitchell; granddaughter Layla Woods as well as many special cousins.

In lieu of flowers, Sharon's family asks to cherish your loved ones and hold them tight. A celebration of Sharon's life will be held in the Spring.

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Hello all,
I am posting this on behalf of the love of my life. These are her words. Much love to all.

"So…I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is, apparently, I’m dead. Good news, if you’re reading this, is that you are most definitely not (unless they have wifi in the afterlife). Yes, this sucks. It sucks beyond words, but I’m just so damn glad I lived a life so full of love, joy and amazing friends. I am lucky to honestly say that I have zero regrets and I spent every ounce of energy I had living life to the fullest. I love you all and thank you for this awesome life. Whatever religion brings you comfort, I am happy that you have that. However, respect that we are not religious. Please, please, please do not tell Jim that I am in heaven. In his mind, that means that I chose to be somewhere else and left him. In reality, I did everything I could to be here with him, as there is nowhere, NOWHERE, I would rather be than with him & our family. Please don’t confuse him and let him think for one second that is not true. Because, I am not in heaven. I’m here. But no longer in the crappy body that turned against me. My energy, my love, my laughter, those incredible memories, it’s all here with you. Please don’t think of me with pity or sadness. Smile, knowing that we had a blast together and that time was AMAZING. I freaking hate making people sad. More than anything, I love making people laugh and smile, so please, rather than dwelling on the tragic Terms of Endearment end of my story, laugh at the memories we made and the fun we had. Please tell Jim, Amy, Sarah & Layla stories, so they know how much I love them and how proud of them.  I will always be (and make me sound waaay cooler than I am). Because I love nothing more than being their Wife, Mom & Grammie. Every moment with them was a happiness I couldn’t even imagine.  And don’t say I lost to COPD. Because COPD may have taken almost everything from me, but my spirit.  It never took my love or my hope or my joy. It wasn’t a “battle” it was just life, which is often brutally random and unfair, and that’s simply how it goes sometimes. I didn’t lose, dammit. The way I lived for years with COPD is something I consider a pretty big victory. Please remember that. Most importantly, I was unbelievably lucky to have spent over 6 decades  with the love of my life and my best friend, Jim. True love and soulmates do exist. Every day was full of hilarity and love with Jim by my side. He is genuinely the best husband in the universe. Through all my wants and needs crap, he never wavered when so many people would want to run. Even on the worst days you could imagine, we found a way to laugh together. I love him more than life itself and I truly believe that a love like that is so special it will live forever. Time is the most precious thing in this world and to have shared my life with Jim is something I am incredibly grateful for. I love you, Jim. I believe that the awesomeness that is Amy, Sarah & Layla is our love brought to life, which is pretty beautiful. It absolutely breaks my heart to have to say goodbye. If it’s half as sad for you as it is for me, it breaks my heart over again because the last thing I ever want to do is make you sad. I hope that with time, you can think of me and smile and laugh, because, holy shit did we have a breathtaking life. I will always be with you in some way. I know that if you just stop and look hard enough, I’ll be there (in as non-creepy a way possible). You’re my world and I loved every second we had together more than words.  Friends, I love you all and thank you for the most wonderfully awe-inspiring life. From the bottom of my heart, I wish all my friends long, healthy lives and I hope you can experience the same appreciation for the gift of each day that I did.  Celebrate the beauty of life with a kickass party because you know that’s what I want and I believe that in a weird way, I will find a way to be there too (you know how much I hate missing out on fun). I look forward to haunting each one of you, so this isn’t so much a goodbye as it is see you later Please do me a favor and take a few minutes each day to acknowledge the fragile adventure that is this crazy life. Don’t ever forget: every day matters."

Songs to remember Sharon by:

"Do You Believe in Magic"

"Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me" - Mel Carter

"Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um" – Major Lance

"Sweet Judy Blue Eyes"-Crosby, Still, Nash

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