Sharon Loomis Botkin

A Life Well Lived

An opportunity to volunteer with special needs children during high school set Sharon on the path which became her life’s calling. That passion and enthusiasm to serve special needs children and their families remained undiminished until she died.

Coming into the world on March 9, 1956 in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, Sharon was the first child born to George and Joanne Loomis.  She attended Punahou School where she ran track and cross country.  During her senior year she was also a cheer leader; a title that fit her later roles as wife, mother, special education professional, daughter, sister and friend to so many.

Sharon attended Syracuse University for her first two years of college before transferring to the    University of Michigan where she earned her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Special Education.  Several years later she would earn her Master’s Degree at San Francisco State.  Pursuit of that degree revealed just a bit of her determination and tenacity as she concluded the research for her thesis—actually going to a family’s home to conduct therapy and interviews—not twelve hours before giving birth to her second son Evan early the next morning.  She remained in the field of Special Education, for 43 years, until her retirement as a principal with the Sacramento County Office of Education in December of 2021.  She touched the lives of children and their families, while mentoring many of those who worked with her.

A devout Christian, she lived to serve.  In everything she did, no matter the task, she exemplified Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…”

Sharon had two speed settings:  Mach 1 and Afterburner.  Whether it was family, church, work, the family dogs or taking care of the plants she nurtured, she gave her best effort all the time, whatever the circumstances and at full throttle.

Few could match her gift of empathy. She was genuinely humble. A shy person, she rarely spoke of herself but made every effort to engage others, learn about them and affirm their importance.  Her moral compass was permanently stuck on truth and she was fastidious about doing the right thing all the time.  She was likewise a very proper person who never used coarse language.  If she received a gift, a thank you note was in the mail expeditiously.  She had an effusive personal warmth evident to all and almost incongruous sense of humor that kept her husband and sons in awe.  She hugged everyone, and everyone wanted to be hugged by her.

From her youngest years Sharon had been involved in sports, playing tennis before moving on to track and cross country.  She completed the Honolulu Marathon three times and continued to stay fit just prior to being diagnosed with Cardiac Sarcoma—cancer of the heart—an incredibly rare, and nearly 100% fatal disease.  From discovery and surgery when they removed a “near-tennis ball sized tumor” from one chamber of her heart until the night she passed was exactly eight weeks.

Sharon’s greatest weakness was her inability to say “no” to the sons she loved.  She was adored, cherished and loved by those closest to her.  She was preceded in death by her father, George Loomis.  She leaves behind her husband and soulmate of nearly 48 years (married for 40) Richard Botkin, sons Andrew and Evan, mother Joanne Loomis, sister Sheila Loomis, brother Brian Loomis, and many friends grateful to have been blessed by her example, friendship and love. 

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Please consider a donation in honor of Sharon to International Humanitarian Missions, Ihumanemissions.org.

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If you're giving consideration to ordering flowers for Sharon's service, please consider our favorite local flower shop, Rocklin Florist, 916-624-1651, www.RocklinFlorist.com.