Maria Teresa Sharrow

Maria Teresa Sharrow, 73, a resident of LeHigh Acres FL since 2018, previously from Goldsboro NC, left this world quietly, humbly, bravely & selflessly on July 28, 2024 at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Ft. Myers FL. She was born on October 15, 1950 in Camaguey Cuba to the late Rolando Ramirez and Amalia Gutierrez.

Maria attended St. Raphael Catholic Church in LeHigh Acres living a simple, no frills, no drama, it is what it is kind of life always providing the “and then some” in the lives of others. She was a devoted mother, Nana, & friend.  She may not have had much, but was always smiling, never complained, found joy in the simple things, and was known for giving “the best” hugs ever. She never hesitated to provide wisdom and said the hard things with such grace. She spent 32 years working for Wayne County Dept of Social Services in Goldsboro NC and after retiring devoted her life to caring for her mother who suffered a debilitating stroke. Maria was selfless, kind, generous with her time, strong, and one of the most incredible women that walked this earth. Her home was made up of a little piece of everyone who ever touched her life. If you ever gave her a gift she could tell you who gave it to her, when it was given, and the story behind it. For those of us she leaves behind, take time to share a smile, ask someone what their name is even if they don’t look like someone you would normally associate with (a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet), offer a hug, touch a life and know that it’s the simple things that make the biggest difference. The greatest gift we could give is to carry on her legacy.

She is survived by her daughter Maria (Lonnie) of LeHigh Acres FL, sisters Angelica “Angie” Sabates  (William) of Ft. Valley VA, Maria “Nina” Ramirez of Greensboro NC, three grandchildren Daniel (Alyssa), Justin (Kayla), and Ashlyn (Ethan), two great grandsons Rolando “Rolo”, Emmanuel “EJ”, was expecting her first great granddaughter due in January, nieces Cindy (Brian), Christa (Scott), Kristy (Jim), Darcy (Morgan), nephew Jared (Amanda), and many great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother Rolando Ramirez.

A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, August 17, 2024, 10 am at St. Raphael Catholic Church 2514 Lee Blvd. LeHigh Acres, FL 33971. Internment and Burial will be held at 12:30 PM, at Our lady of Light Catholic Church (Memorial Gardens), 19680 Cypress View Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33967 with a luncheon will follow in The Parrish Center.

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to someone in need (even if they find it hard to accept your gift) and share with them how Maria’s kindness has touched your life.

Yesterday is already a dream, tomorrow a vision but today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.