Sharon Lee Hess of Johnson Avenue, Berwick, PA, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2026, at her home.
She was born August 24, 1943, in Wilkes-Barre, PA, to the late Ralph and Ethel Eigenbrod Engler. She lived in Mountain Top until 1961 when she married her husband Paul L. Hess on August 19, 1961, and then moved to the Berwick area. Paul and Sharon recently celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary.
Sharon was a 1961 graduate of Fairview High School now known as Crestwood, Mountain Top. Sharon attended several colleges including Penn State, Bloomsburg University, Luzerne Community College and received a Certification in Human Resources Management from Kings College, Wilkes-Barre. Sharon enjoyed her employment at Berwick Hospital Center for over 26 years and retired from the Hospital in 2006 as the Director of Community of Affairs, Director of Volunteers and Senior Circle Advisor.
Sharon loved music and was a former pianist/organist of the Dorrance United Church of Christ. Her other hobbies included traveling, dancing, shopping and a “HOT cup of coffee”. Sharon was a member and former 1997- 1998 President of Berwick Business and Professional Women’s Club. She was named ”Woman of the Year” in 1998. She was a member and Chairperson of the Volunteer Committee and served on the Endowment Committee of Volunteers in Philanthropy of the Berwick Health and Wellness Foundation and The Central Susquehanna Community Foundation. She was also a Member of the Berwick Women’s Civic Club and a Member of the Berwick United Church of Christ. Sharon also served in many other Professional and Community Civic Organizations such as the Society of Director of Volunteer Services and Central Chapter of the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania, Berwick Business and Professional Women’s Board Member of the Berwick Area Chamber of Commerce, Berwick Health and Wellness Auxiliary, Friends of the Berwick Public Library, Berwick Area YMCA, Columbia County Coalition, Berwick Wapiti Club of the Elks, and Berwick Area United Way.
In addition to her husband, she will be greatly missed by her two daughters: Darla Burris, husband Don of Mifflinville; and Linda LaCoe, husband Jeffrey of Montoursville; a granddaughter Andrea Raymer, husband Tom; and two great-grandchildren, Liam and Harper. She is also survived by sisters Martha Jewell of Mountain Top and Myrt Orlowskey of White Haven, along with many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Brenda Phillips.
In accordance with Sharon’s wishes, services will be private for the immediate family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sharon’s memory to the Community Giving Foundation to support the music program at Berwick High School. Gifts may be made online through the Sharon Hess Memorial Fund at csgiving.org/donate or by mailing a check payable to Community Giving Foundation, 725 W. Front Street, Berwick, PA 18603, with ‘Sharon Hess’ noted in the memo.”
Arrangements are entrusted to Heller Funeral Home, LLC, Nescopeck. Online messages of comfort for her family may be sent to condolences@HellerFuneralHomeLLC.com