Sharon Griffin, 78, of Geneseo, IL passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Liberty Village in Geneseo, IL. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Geneseo. Father Daniel Gifford will officiate. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Geneseo. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Vandemore Funeral Home and Crematory from 5 – 8 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Sharon was born on January 20, 1947, in Kewanee, IL, the daughter of Rene and Anez (Franck) Emmerson. She was a graduate of Western Illinois University. She was very proud of her farming heritage with memories of horseback riding with her father and playing softball with her multitude of cousins during family celebrations. She later enjoyed displaying her softball skills in the women’s leagues in Geneseo. Sharon began her work career as a dental hygienist and then went back to college to earn her degree in elementary education. She was employed by Carbon Cliff school district. Sharon organized and was the first librarian of Eagle Ridge School in Silvis, Illinois. She was very proud of the many gardens surrounding her house. She especially enjoyed playing piano with her grandchildren. As a member of St Malachys Church, she was trained by the diocese to assist those seeking marriage annulments providing expertise and compassion. In retirement, Sharon enjoyed spending winter months on the Gulf Coast, kayaking the rivers of northeast Iowa, and entertaining her grandchildren at her cabin. She enjoyed traveling, visiting Europe, Africa and Israel.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Stan Griffin; children, Brenn (Julianna) DeBlick, Anne (John) Speer, Joanna (fiancé Garrett) Neumann; brother Steve (Sue) Emmerson; sister, Shirley (Sam) Hurt; grandchildren, Emmerson, Elanor, Ellaine, Sally, Ryker and Vance.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Rene and Anez Emmerson.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the nurses and nurses’ aides at Liberty Village Memory Care of Geneseo for their love and compassion given to Sharon during her last year of life.