Sharon Karun Griffiths was a loving wife, sister, friend, school teacher, and the best mother in the Universe. She passed away peacefully on Monday, August 9, 2010, in the arms of her husband and surrounded by her family. She was 67.

She was born Sharon Frances Karun on Jan. 30, 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio where her parents, Frank and Anna, owned and managed a popular neighborhood tavern. She graduated from Collinwood High School and then went on to Bowling Green State University for her teaching degree. She met her husband, Dick Griffiths, in speech class when they were both freshmen at Bowling Green in 1961. The couple married in 1964.

Sharon was a world-class educator who began her teaching career in Columbus, Ohio. After moving to Geneva in 1967, Sharon took a break from teaching to raise her children. While being a full-time mother of four young children, Sharon completed her Master’s degree in Gifted and Talented Education.

Sharon returned to teaching and taught the Gifted Program in the Geneva Area School System. Her passion for languages, arts, culture, science, and a broad array of topics led to the expansion of the Gifted curriculum in Geneva. She encouraged her students to embrace new languages introducing French, Spanish, Latin, and Chinese as part of the 7th grade survey course.

She was intellectually curious, a voracious reader, and always took on new challenges. She deeply enjoyed her friendships fostered through her work and the many organizations for which she belonged. Sharon was fearless about learning new skills and she put her vast creative talents to use with an array of artistic projects. Whether it was stamping, calligraphy, knitting, or others, Sharon did things with a passion and thoroughness that is rarely seen in this world today.

Sharon was most proud of her grandchildren Noah, Charlie, Abby, and Millie. She cherished every moment with them, whether it was baking special treats, taking them to Disney World, or just reading a bedtime story. The sparkle in their eyes and hearing them yell “Grandma” as they ran into her house brought endless joy to her heart.

Her generosity and kindness was shared with everyone she met, and even during her last days, her loving spirit touched those around her.

She is survived by husband Dick, her four children; Michelle (Ron) Stoughton of Columbus, Rick of Prague, Czech Republic, Jeffrey (Tina) of Chardon, Frank (Julie) of Seattle, and her sister Marilyn (Angelo) Vogrig of Cleveland. She was preceded by her sister Betty (Fred) Schuhle of Cleveland.

Visitation will be Thursday, Aug 12, 2010 at 2-4 and 6-8pm at the Behm Family Funeral Home & Crematory, 175 S. Broadway, Geneva.

Funeral Services will be Friday, Aug 13, 2010 at 11am at Geneva First United Methodist Church, 89 S. Broadway where Rev. Suzanne Hill will officiate. Burial will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to Sharon Griffiths Foreign Language Fund c/o Geneva Library, 860 Sherman Street, Geneva, OH 44041.