Obituary
Sharon Lee Lerch
March 5, 1947 - August 5, 2024
77 years old
Sharon Lee Lerch, 77, of Palm City, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, August 5, 2024, surrounded by her husband, four daughters and grandchildren.
Sharon was born in Cumberland, Maryland on March 5, 1947 to the late Henry Horn, Jr and the late Vivian Lee Horn. At a young age, Sharon’s family moved to Bowie, Maryland where she lived until after high school. Sharon began working as a medical transcriptionist and then after attending classes at the University of Delaware she began her long career as the Assistant Executive Director for the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) where she was in charge of events around the world for country club managers and military executives.
It was at CMAA where she first met her husband, Harry W. Lerch. Sharon and Harry were married in Bethesda, Maryland in 1989 and lived in Bethesda for 25 years, where they often enjoyed hosting parties for family and friends, before retiring to Palm City, Florida.
Sharon completed all training requirements to become a pilot and often co-piloted for her husband as they flew around the country in his Cessna plane. They often raced in the Great Southern Air Races throughout the Southeast and Bahamas. Sharon also enjoyed playing golf with her husband at golf resorts around the world and was thrilled when she got a hole in one at the Wailea Golf Course in Maui, Hawaii.
Sharon loved making new friends and quickly learned the story of everyone she met. There wasn’t a place in town where people didn’t know her name and everyone could always feel her loving presence and generous spirit. Sharon had a heart of gold and could often be found donating to those in need. Sharon also had a love for all animals and often had many parrots and dogs in her home. At one time, she had 30 love birds, six parrots and two dogs living in her home. She also loved feeding the hummingbirds and ducks and she
built several bird and duck houses on their property.
Sharon loved gardening, watching movies and cheering on her favorite Florida teams. But mostly, she just enjoyed spending time with her family.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Harry W. Lerch, of Palm City, Florida, and her four daughters, Kimberly Sielski (Jeff Eisenberger) of Palm City, Florida, Theresa Holmes of Palm City, Florida, Michelle Sullivan (Brian Sullivan) of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Stephanie Billig (James Billig) of Stuart, Florida. Survived by her grandchildren, Aaron Whitmore, Jacqueline Billig, Erika Holmes, Travis Holmes, PJ
Sielski, Caroline Billig, and Ryan Sullivan. Survived by her sister Celeste Lawrence (Rea Lawrence) and her nieces and nephew, Kim Woodward, Pamela Morales, April Kruger, Renee Varmer, Allison Vaughan, Jonathan Deverick and Kathryn Deverick. Survived by her step-children, Barbara Lerch of Eugene, Oregon, Beverly Nored (Tim Nored) of Seattle, Washington, Harry W. Lerch, Jr. “Buzz” of Ijamsville, Maryland, Brad Lerch of Eugene, Oregon and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Monday, August 12, 2024 at 11 am. The memorial service will then begin at 12 pm followed by the interment at the Forest Hills Memorial Park and Palm City Chapel in Palm City, Florida at 2001 SW Murphy Road, Palm City, Florida, 34990. Flowers for the service can be sent to: Forest Hills Memorial Park and Palm City Chapel at 2001 SW Murphy Road, Palm City, Florida, 34990.