Sharon Kay Thoman

1951-2024

Sharon Kay Thoman, 73, died peacefully at 1:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 16, at St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital. She was born in East Liverpool, Ohio on Sept. 22, 1951. She grew up in the small village of Congo, just outside of Newell, West Virginia. Sharon would often tell fun stories from her childhood growing up in Congo and playing with her cousins. She liked to brag that she was a “bad kid” and that she deserved every “whoopin” she received. Sharon was a graduate of Oak Glen High School. She married Tom Thoman (also from Newell) on Aug. 16, 1969. Together they raised two daughters, Mary Lynn (1970-1998) and Lisa.

Sharon was employed by Hancock County School District for 31 years. For the first part of her career she assisted in special education classrooms, supporting children with differences including those on the Autism Spectrum. She was trained and certified as an Autism Mentor through the West Virginia Department of Education. Sharon spent the second part of her career working in kindergarten classrooms at both Allison and New Manchester elementary schools. She was incredibly creative. She had a song for every letter of the alphabet and could design a hat for every occasion.

Early in her adult life Sharon was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) which she battled throughout the course of her lifetime. On July 21, 2014, Sharon received a kidney transplant from a living donor. The donation came from the generosity of an anonymous donor and allowed her to enjoy another precious decade with her family. Her family will always be grateful for the gift of organ donation.

Sharon adored her grandchildren and used every opportunity to spoil them. She and her grandchildren often got into trouble by creating mischief together. She was a child at heart. She had a playful spirit and encouraged others to laugh with her. She found joy in the midst of her circumstances. Her door was always open to her children and grandchildren along with her refrigerator. Her home was a safe place for those that she loved.

Throughout most of her adulthood Sharon was a member of Newell First Church of the Nazarene. There she raised her family and served as a choir member, Sunday School teacher, and board member. Later Sharon attended the First Baptist Church of Chester where she and her husband, Tom, developed many meaningful friendships.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, John and Viola Doolin, her husband Tom Thoman and her daughter Mary Lynn McHenry. She leaves behind her daughter Lisa (John) Cameneti of Youngstown; four siblings, Rosemary (Earl) Barrick of Newell, Barbara Gilbert, (Rick) of Newell, Jeff (Kristen) Doolin of East Liverpool and Michelle Keller (Charles) of Newell. She leaves five grandchildren: Michael (Katie) Hickman of East Liverpool, Bethanie McHenry of Youngstown, Karlinn McHenry of Cleveland, Sophia McHenry-Cameneti of Youngstown and Rocco Cameneti of Youngstown. She leaves five great-grandchildren: Elias, Elyse, Joel, Julia, and Lydia Hickman of East Liverpool.

Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 20, from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. at the Nixon Funeral Home, Newell, W.Va., where funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations to Cadence Care Network of Ohio (CadenceCare.org/GivingTuesday).

12/19/24