Sharon Norris ’62 Flynn
Sharon Flynn, 83, of Ann Arbor, MI passed away on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
Sharon was born on April 8, 1940 to Verne and Dorothy Norris. The youngest of 3 children, Sharon loved bugging her older brother and sister and trying to follow in their footsteps.
Sharon graduated from Godwin Heights High School in 1958 and Hope College in 1962, and later continued her studies at Eastern Michigan University. She worked as a teacher for many years in districts such as Zeeland, Jackson Parma Western, Belleville, and Dexter. Sharon especially enjoyed teaching English and directing school plays. After retiring from teaching, she worked at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, where she was a longtime active member. Sharon served multiple times as both a deacon and an elder in church and volunteered countless hours in service of her congregation and community. She also enjoyed family dinners, time with friends, reading, organizing her planner, ice cream, chai lattes, gluten-free food, and summers at Walloon Lake.
Sharon was loved by many and had a huge heart, which included her husband of 41 years, Jeff Flynn. Her heart was also large enough to embrace her three children (with Carl Benes): Andy Benes (Deanna) of Hudsonville, Dan Benes ’91 (Lynn) of Saline, and Sarah Heed (John) of Milan; 6 grandchildren: Aidan (Chelsea) and Cydney Heed, Zach, Katelyn, Owen, and Matthew Benes; one great-grandchild: Senan Heed, numerous extended family, her congregation at Westminster Presbyterian Church, and many enduring friendships. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Vern; sister, Marian; niece, Debbie; and parents-in-law, Hal and Carolyn. She loved deeply and with devoted commitment all her years.