Obituary of Sharon DeBaby Schneider
Please share a memory of Sharon to include in a keepsake book for family and friends.
Sharon Louise Jackson DeBaby Schneider of Hollywood, Florida, transitioned to an afterlife free from pain on Tuesday, June 4th, 2024.
At this time, Sharon’s family is still waiting for answers as to what exactly happened but are grateful that though her passing was entirely unexpected she was comforted by family in her last moments.
She is survived by her beloved daughter, Michelle Barone; son-in-law, Michael; grandchildren, Michael Anthony, Christa, and Kera; ex-husbands, Robert Schneider and Charles DeBaby; and fur-baby, Oliver.
Sharon was born in Clearwater, Florida, on August 10th, 1948, to Ola and Jeter “Jay” Jackson. She is survived by her siblings Jay & Kathy Jackson, Hoyt & Marian Jackson, and Chris-Ann & Dennis Nickel, along with many nieces and nephews. Her parents and siblings, Barbara Jean Woodworth and Keith Jackson, predeceased her.
Sharon married Charles DeBaby and was blessed with the birth of her cherished daughter, Michelle Barone in the 1960s. In 1990, Sharon married Robert Schneider. Her heart swelled with pride for her grandchildren, Michael Anthony and Christa Barone born in the early 90s. When Robert got remarried in the early 2000s, Sharon embraced his wife Jill Schneider and her children, forming a truly blended family. When Michael Anthony got married in 2019 to Kera Lurie, Sharon instantly cherished having another granddaughter.
Over the years, Sharon adopted many fur babies. Each one she loved dearly and gave the most spoiled life possible. Mandy, Maggie, Max, Samantha Jones, and Patch all crossed the Rainbow Bridge and there is no doubt they greeted Sharon as soon as she transitioned.
Oliver, who has gone to live with her daughter and family on their farm, never left Sharon’s side and was her angel, looking out for her, even after she passed.
Sharon's unwavering love and dedication to her family were the driving forces in her life, and she always did her best to put their well-being above all else.
Sharon graduated from North Miami Senior High in 1966 and rarely missed an opportunity to meet up with her fellow Pioneers. She spent her career in healthcare, from managing the Surgical Room at Osteopathic General Hospital to running dental offices. In 1993, Sharon became an entrepreneur and started STAT Electronic Claims. Medical billing was her passion and the company provided her with a comfortable life. She loved what she did and everyone she interacted with.
Running her own business afforded her the luxury of dining out to lunch daily. Everyone who knew Sharon understood that lunch was never about the food for her; it was always about the company. Loyal to a fault, once Sharon found restaurants she loved, the servers became like family and she maintained a consistent schedule with her visits. Mustard Seed Bistro (Lara), IL POSTO RISTORANTE (Manuela), Coopers Hawk, and of course, where she had lunch almost every day, Longhorn Steakhouse.
Over the years, many owners and servers have had the pleasure of sitting with Sharon, but during her last challenging year, Jennie Savage became her safety net and confidant, seeing her almost every day. Jennie's unwavering support exemplified the strong bonds she built throughout her life.
Sharon's warm and caring nature forged deep connections.
Sharon had a remarkable ability to make friends wherever she went, thanks to her exceptional talent for listening. When friends sat with Sharon, they felt truly heard, loved, and understood, often finding themselves sharing thoughts and feelings they never expected to reveal. She had a unique gift for drawing out the truth, making her a comforting and trusted confidant to many. She was like a human truth serum.
There are too many friends to mention, but there were a few who knew her more than most - Mona Short, Susan Millet, Bill Gille, Joe Snyder, and Christina Nunez. She loved and appreciated all of her friends more than they could ever know.
With her big heart, she always wished the best for everyone around her. In her last few years, Sharon cherished living in the Tamberlane neighborhood in Hollywood, FL where she and her beloved Oliver could be found daily at the dog park.
Sharon formed deep bonds with her neighbors, many of whom became extended family and surrogate grandchildren, always looking out for her. She treasured these relationships, with a special mention to Colton, Sam, and Danny who held a special place in her heart. Sharon’s neighbors were a source of immense joy and comfort, enriching her life with their love and support.
Sharon was not perfect—no one is. She was fierce and complex, with a spirit that could roar like the true Leo she was. Yet, in the face of her fiery moments, forgiveness always followed, mending any rifts with love and understanding.
Despite enduring chronic pain her entire life, Sharon's determination never wavered. She pushed herself every single day to embrace the activities and people she loved, never wanting to burden anyone with the depth of her struggle.
While her absence leaves missing pieces in many hearts, knowing she is now free from her physical pain and joyfully embracing the afterlife brings smiles to our faces. Sharon's resilience and unyielding spirit are a lasting inspiration to all who knew her.
Her warmth, generosity, and unwavering support were felt by all who knew her. Sharon had a remarkable ability to make anyone feel welcome and at ease. Her legacy of kindness, strength, and independence will be cherished by her family and friends.
A Celebration of Sharon’s life will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 1 pm to 3 pm at Longhorn Steakhouse, located at 4899 Sheridan St., Hollywood, FL. The family kindly requests that all attendees share their cherished “Sharon” stories and memories as we come together to honor her legacy.
In place of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to “The Oliver Fund” to support her beloved pup, Oliver: https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-sharon-the-oliver-fund
She will be deeply missed and forever remembered in our hearts.
*Please know that if anyone was not named it was not intentional
Please keep the Barone family in your thoughts and prayers. The Joseph A. Scarano Pines Memorial Chapel is Honored to assist the Barone family with the arrangements.