Sharon Juen
Sharon Juen
It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Sharon Juen, who’s brief struggle with pancreatic cancer ended on the night of Sunday, June 3, 2018 at the age of 62. She was surrounded by her loving family and her favorite music.
Sharon was born in Tacoma, Washington, but spent a large part of her childhood living around the world on U.S. Air Force bases. She spent her teen years in San Antonio, Texas and moved on to College Station to attend Texas A&M University where she received a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. It was in college 
where she met the love of her life, Richard Juen. They married in 1980 and raised four children together. Their adventures in parenthood began in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and eventually moved to Maple Valley, Washington.
Sharon was a lover of the outdoors and spent many days of her life on trails and on the water. She loved to hike, camp, kayak and ride her bike with friends and family. She was an advocate for outdoor 
recreation and education. Among many other groups, she volunteered with Friends Of The Cedar River for years, leading tours along the river during salmon spawning season, educating the public about life cycles and ecological systems.
She organized a local book club with friends, sang in a choir in Seattle, was always working on sewing projects, traveled whenever and wherever she could, and loved spending time with her family.
Sharon is survived by her father (Robert), stepmother (Nellie), brother (Phil), husband (Richard), four children (Jacob, Matthew, Lindsey and Nathan), and three grandchildren (Lydia, Ethan and Sadie).
The legacy she leaves with us all is to be kind to one and other, be available for friendship and always find the good in everything.
There will be a memorial service to celebrate her life on Thursday, July 5th, 2018 at 6pm. It will be held in the banquet room of the Lake Wilderness Golf Course, at 25400 Witte Road SE, Maple Valley, Washington. In lieu of flowers please just make the time to take a walk with someone you love.
14 Responses to “Sharon Juen”
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As one of Sharon’s fans (and Jake’s)for years at REI and a member of the book club, I’m crushed by the loss of her presence in our lives. Her spirit always shone bright with eagerness to learn, to share and to live a full life. I was hoping to see the cranes with her someday. Now I will go so that I may see what she saw all those times and remember her love of the outdoors. To Sharon’s family… your loss is immeasurable, may your memories of Sharon help you through this devastating time. Take care.
I had the good fortune of working with Sharon and can say I never knew a kinder, more genuine person with such a good heart. Her smile and the light she brings will be missed by many. My heart is with her family at this incredibly sad time.
Dear Sharon, May your eternal paradise be hiking in the mountains. You will be missed.
Sharon gave so many of us at REI the gift of daily smiles, laughs and true team spirit. I can only imagine the wonderful love that filled your family. My heart goes out to you!
Sharon had a huge heart and was always so kind and thoughtful to everyone she encountered. Her joyful, beautiful smile will be missed by so many. I will be praying for her friends and family. <3
I was fortunate to have worked with Sharon over this past year at The Trust for Public Land. I was the acting office director, doing two jobs, and she stepped in to help save me. She had a big heart and a big sense of responsibility. She was usually two steps ahead of all of us. She brought kindness, cheer, professionalism and, most of all, caring to our organization. She helped us do some great conservation work protecting the kind of places that she loved. I really miss her. My sincere condolences to her family and friends.
Sharon was one of the calmest, gracious, smiling, helpful, kindest and friendliest person I ever worked with. I am so glad I got to know her. Sending peace and warm memories to her family.
Juen Family, Sharon and I worked together at REI for several years. She was just fabulous and I’m so sad for your family to lose such a wonderful soul. I shared the news with several of my former REI coworkers via Facebook. Here are some of the adjectives they used to describe Sharon: sweet woman, great person, special, kind, helpful, sweetie, gentle spirit, and always there when you needed help. The only negative words were about cancer . . . . sigh. Such an unrelenting thief. I’ll be in Glacier National Park on July 5th. I’ll take a long walk and think of Sharon. Hugs to your family from the REI family, Vicki Dell
Nancy and I were very sad to hear of my niece Sharon’s passing. There were times when she came to visit us in Portland when Lindsey had a ball game.We were in San Antonio for my brother Bob’s(her father) birthday parties. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Rich and the family.
I had the great pleasure of knowing Sharon through her volunteer work for the Cedar River Salmon Journey and the Cedar River Watershed Education Center. I was and continue to be inspired by her dedication to her community. She will be so missed. My heart is with you all.
Oh my goodness, my dear Sharon. I am so sorry you were gone so quickly. My heart aches for your passing. I remember so many smiles & so much laughter from you. When I think of you, I think of a sunflower – bringing much color & happiness into the world. I had SO MUCH fun going to the movies with our sons – with them making us laugh during the scary parts; and you telling me you were done with superhero movies :); and being in book club with you. I know you were so proud of your children and grandchildren. I am so sorry for your family’s loss. I love you, my friend ♥♥
“Go rest high on that mountain. Girl, your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a shoutin’ love for the Father and the Son.”
Sharon was a huge influence on my life! I worked with her at REI in Treasury Management then when she was laid off and re-hired in Marketing, we became weekly walking partners at lunch in a bird sanctuary near REI headquarters. I loved learning about birds from Sharons knowledge in this area. We both went on our first overnight backpack trip at Alder Lake in eastern Washington. She fullfilled a lifetime dream to sip wine along the river where we made camp for the night!
The night before I learned of Sharon’s death, a beautiful dove landed on my deck. It was an unusual bird and ended up spending the night. The next day I learned of Sharon’s death and felt chills knowing Sharon made her way by to say good-bye. I haven’t cleaned the bird shit off my deck yet because it makes me smile and reminds me that Sharon finally has her bird wings!!!!!
Aw Sharon… such a bright, sparkling light gone way too soon. Being fellow REI-ers AND fellow Tahoma moms, she and I often shared stories of our kids – and her eyes were always full of joy and pride when she spoke of her children. You were the center of her world and I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your mom with us, and for the reminder to go out and take a walk with a friend. We will always remember her and her beautiful smile.
I stumbled upon this as I was looking for my old friend and coworker Rich. I knew them both when they lived in Albuquerque. Rich and I were supervisors together at Southwest. When I met Sharon for the first time I immediately felt at ease, like she was a big sister. She always made you feel special. I loved talking and being around her. My condolences Rich to you and your family.