Sharon Lee (Rector) Penhollow

Published 12:26 am Friday, October 2, 2015

Sharon Penhollow passed away in the presence of her loving family at her home in Redmond on September 18, 2015 at the age of 77 after battling congestive heart failure and extreme arthritis.

Sharon was born to Herbert Henry and Geneva Louise (Bewley) Rector on March 13, 1938 in Gypsum, CO. She joined a brother, Bill, and brother Lloyd followed five years later. The family came to Central Oregon in 1948 when her father was recruited as a vocational-agriculture instructor in Crook County for returning World War II veterans under a federal education program. Later her father taught school in LaPine, Warm Springs and Sandy, OR. They settled in Powell Butte where she and her brothers grew up and attended the Powell Butte School. During that time, her mother worked at the Powell Butte Store for the Ayers family, later working in the office of the Great Lakes Carbon Company dicolite mine at Lower Bridge, and eventually for the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs in Warm Springs and Portland, OR.

After graduating from Redmond Union High School in 1956 and attending the University of Oregon for a short time, she returned to Redmond and married Carroll Penhollow on June 2, 1957. During and after high school she worked at the Odem Theater in downtown Redmond.

Sharon then started fill-in and relief work at the Deschutes County Courthouse. In 1966, she began a 30-year career with the Redmond School District as a librarian and audio-visual aide at M. A. Lynch and Jessie Hill schools. Then she became the financial secretary at Redmond Junior High and Obsidian Junior High schools, returning to M. A. Lynch to finish her career.

Sharon was a member of the Powell Butte Community Christian Church having been baptized by her future father-in-law, D. L. “Penny” Penhollow on December 26, 1956. She served as the general cashier for the BBQ at the famous Lord’s Acre Day for many years until her health restricted her participation.

Over the years, she enjoyed working crossword puzzles (something she had in common with her mother), watching soap operas and television sports, especially football, baseball and golf. She also enjoyed listening to music from the Gaither Gospel Series.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Carroll; her son, Clay; her daughter, Cathy Kohanes and husband, Kelvin, and their son, Andrew of Cornelius, OR; her son, Cary and wife, Melinda, and their sons, Brock, Holden and Grant; her brother, Bill Rector of Chico, CA; her brother, Lloyd Rector and wife, Frances of Pacific, WA; several cousins, nephews and nieces; and her special friend and fellow “Grammy,” Helen Haseman.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Herb and Louise Rector.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Powell Butte Christian Church for the D. L. and Marie Penhollow Foundation Scholarship Fund, PO Box 2, Powell Butte, OR 97753 (541-548-3066), or to Partners in Care, 2075 NE Wyatt Court, Bend, OR 97701 (541-382-5882).

A family graveside service and burial was previously conducted. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the Powell Butte Christian Church, 13720 SW Hwy 126, Powell Butte, OR 97753.

Redmond Memorial Chapel is honored to serve the Penhollow family. Please sign our on-line guestbook at www.redmondmemorial.com