A Life Filled with Love, Laughter, and Unwavering Dedication

Sharon Lee Egger (nee Conway) passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at UW Hospital, marking the end of 82 remarkable years of life. Born on October 16, 1941, in Waukesha, WI, Sharon was the oldest daughter of Jack A. Conway and Virginia V. Conway (nee Vincent).

Sharon's journey through life was characterized by her dedication, warmth, and vibrant spirit. She graduated from Waukesha High School in 1959 and went on to become the first in her family to graduate college, earning a BS degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Nursing in 1963. That same year, she married the love of her life, James O. Egger, at the Congregational Church in Waukesha, beginning a partnership that spanned over six decades.

As a dedicated public health nurse in Milwaukee, Sharon's compassion and commitment shone brightly. Her career path led her to various roles, including an ICU nurse in Chattanooga, TN, and later, an Education Coordinator at Memorial Hospital in Manitowoc, WI. She also shared her knowledge as a college instructor in the LPN program at Lakeshore Technical Institute. Sharon's pursuit for knowledge didn't stop there; she earned a Master's Degree in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1990.

After a fulfilling career, Sharon and James retired in 1999 to their beautiful lakeside home in Merrimac on Lake Wisconsin. They created countless memories together, traveling extensively—from rafting through the Grand Canyon to cruising between Moscow and Saint Petersburg, kissing the Blarney Stone, snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, touring New Zealand, and going on safari in Tanzania.

Sharon's family was the heart of her world. She was a proud mother to three daughters and a doting grandmother to eight grandchildren. She supported them in every endeavor, attending sports events, school trips, and graduations with unbridled enthusiasm. Sharon's legacy of love and resilience lives on in her children and grandchildren.

Known for her vibrant personality, Sharon loved entertaining, playing card games like bridge and euchre, gardening, and engaging in creative pursuits such as painting, sewing, needlepoint, knitting, and crocheting. Her home was always filled with the smell of her delicious baked goods, from cakes with hidden prizes to an array of Christmas treats like Divinity, fudge and caramel corn.

Sharon's Irish heritage was a source of joy, evident in her love for Irish music and her cherished memories of live music in Irish pubs. She enjoyed wintering in Green Valley, Arizona, with James, surrounded by family and friends. A fan of Wisconsin sports teams, she cheered on the Milwaukee Bucks, UW Badgers, Milwaukee Brewers, and the Green Bay Packers, occasionally with a Baileys, old-fashioned, or margarita in hand.

Sharon's quick wit and steadfast spirit were hallmarks of her character. She listened with empathy but didn't entertain complaints, often responding with a pragmatic, "well, that's tough." Her beautiful smile and infectious laughter will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Sharon is survived by her beloved husband, James; her daughters, Michele Mayo of Sun Prairie, Jennifer (Timothy) Marks of Pewaukee, and Nicole (Matthew) Booher of Madison; and her eight grandchildren: Rebecca Mayo, Rachel Mayo, Derek Mayo, Devon Mayo, Colin Marks, Jack Marks, Harrison Booher, and Brodie Booher. She is also survived by her sister, Debra Conway.

In celebrating Sharon's life, we remember a woman who embodied love, resilience, and joy. She leaves behind a legacy of cherished memories, life lessons, and an unwavering spirit that will continue to inspire all who were fortunate to know her. Sharon Lee Egger will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Women's Center of Waukesha County, supporting domestic violence, which was important to Sharon. Contributions can be made online at twcwaukesha.org.

Your kind words and memories of Sharon mean a lot during this time.

A memorial celebration of Sharon will be planned for later this summer 2024 and details will be updated here.