Obituaries
Sharon Freeman-Kenney, 58
February 08, 2018
Sharon Freeman-Kenney, 58, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2018. She had been quietly but steadfastly fighting cancer and dealing with chemotherapy, surgeries and radiation treatments for over four years. Born in Quantico, Virginia, Sharon was the daughter of Jay and Diana Freeman of Santa Cruz, California. She met her husband David J. Kenney on the campus of San Diego State University in 1978. Sharon graduated in 1981 and they married in 1984. Husband David says they had been an item for almost 40 years. When people who did not know Sharon and David saw them out walking, it was apparent to them they were an item.
Sharon worked in global advertising for nearly 30 years within the media departments of major ad agencies in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Frankfurt (European markets). In 2003 Sharon was promoted to General Manager of the Starcom Tokyo office. And “No” Sharon did not speak Japanese but did learn enough to effectively direct taxi drivers around town. Dave’s and Sharon’s passports were stamped in 19 countries while living abroad for eight years.
Since 2012 Sharon served as Senior Manager, U.S. Media for the Hershey Company. The position was a great fit for her talents and skills. Sharon was recognized as a 2016 Hershey marketing “Change Agent”. The respect her peers had for Sharon only increased these last four years.
Sharon was a HUGE sports fan. She loved her Golden State Warriors and San Francisco Giants through thick and thin since 1985. She particularly loved watching tennis both live and on TV. College football, basketball, March Madness, the NBA and the NFL…she liked them all!
She also loved to watch PBS and old movies on TCM. She was known for having good taste and dressing well and enjoying shopping at the mall. Sharon loved traveling to any city with a great museum and New York and Philadelphia were favorites. At home they would enjoy playing Scrabble in front of a nice fire. Sharon loved her animals, two dogs and five cats over the years.
In addition to her husband and parents Sharon is survived by her older brother Robert Freeman of Goleta, California and her younger sister Michelle Abil of Morrow Bay, California; nieces Nastassia Freeman, Seattle and Lauren Freeman, Las Cruces, NM and nephew Nicholas Freeman, Portland. Also, Aunt Mary and Uncle Edward Freeman of Cleveland and Aunt Connie Hartley of Winter Haven, Florida.
Sharon will be missed by many including great friends Jon and Susan Dorsey of Walnut Creek, California.
Her sense of humor made everyone smile and she invariably made Dave laugh with her one-line quips. We should all smile when we think of her.
Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.
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Condolences to the Family
January 27, 2024
I am so sorry to learn Sharon has left us in 2018. We used to work together, I was her client (P&G) but as we worked together we became natuarlly friends and did many great media revolutions at P&G. I was in touch with her when she left for Japan but than eventually we lost contact and I was looking for her for few years and here I found something I really wished not to.
May you Rest in Peace, dearest Sharon, I wished I was more persistent in looking for you post your return from Japan! Till next time my dear, we will laugh again some day. Much Love and my sincere, late, condoleneces to her loved ones
May 02, 2018
There are no words for me to say how much I miss my sister. My sister Sharon was a rock, never one to complain about herself and always there for others. Her heart was made of gold and is missed everyday-I miss you Sharon and love you. 😘
February 20, 2018
So sorry to hear of Sharon’s passing and your great loss. I worked with Sharon at Hershey and will always remember her willingness to share her expertise in a kind way. She was a true professional, but most importantly, Sharon made the office a nicer place to be. She will be missed. -David Donnelly
February 19, 2018
Dave,
Was an amazing experience to meet and work with Sharon.
She was beatiful lady in and out. Very elegant and with a fantastic sense of humor and shining smile.
She was one of the most emotionally intelligent persons I’ve ever met. And a smart and strong lady who we know fought throughout this hard period of life.
It was a pleasure to meet you both. Seeing you eating sushi the original Japanese way was a great experience…
We won’t be able to see her smiles and hear great conversations, but we’ll keep them in our minds as a great example to follow.
Moises and the Leiferman family
February 19, 2018
We will always remember Sharon as smart, patient (daaaaave😊), beautiful and kind. We loved her subtle sense of humor and quick wit. She was always strong and steady and followed her own path while being an amazing wife to you, Dave. I admired her tremendously and am honored to say she was our friend. Love and peace within to all who loved Sharon.
Steve and janis
February 18, 2018
Dave –
Sharon was an awesome person and a great, life-long friend. I continue to think of her, and you, daily.
Mr. & Mrs Freeman –
We’ve met only a few times, in Santa Cruz, but you have my sincere sympathy. You should be proud of all that Sharon was and all that she accomplished. Her passing has left an empty place in all of our hearts.
– Keith
February 18, 2018
Sharon, thank you for taking Dave into your life, for taking such good care of him, and for being such a wonderful sister-in-law. We will miss you dearly…
Love you always,
Bob & Marie Kenney
February 18, 2018
Sharon, we will miss you and your good heart. The Kenney family so much appreciated how you looked after our parents, Ray and Pat, in their final days. Jenny and I cherished the time we spent with Dave and you in your home in Tokyo. Take care, Dave! You were lucky to have her!!
Neil & Jenny Kenney
February 18, 2018
So sorry to learn of Sharon’s passing. It was a pleasure to know her when she and Dave lived in Clayton, CA. She will be dearly missed.
Much love,
Judy, Alandi, Kashy
February 18, 2018
We will all miss Sharon. We admired her strength and courage these last few years. She’s a great fighter, and revealed little about what was challenging her.
We had some great fun traveling together and sharing times at the various family reunions. Sharon and Dave were so wonderful together. We were always left laughing!
The World will be a lessor place without her.
Bill and Susan Kenney
February 18, 2018
I was so lucky to have met such a beautiful soul such as Sharon. I sincerely hope that her family is strong through this loss, and also able to absorb and carry on the wonderful light that was surrounding her ~ CJ & Kellie Filak
