LaVale – Sharon Ann (Mellon) Whitacre, 73, of LaVale, passed away on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at her home surrounded by family.

She was born August 23, 1950 at Memorial Hospital in Cumberland, to the late James E. and Wanda L. Mellon, of Cumberland. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by special aunt, Mildred Smith, of Cumberland and her son, Cpl. Brian P. Whitacre USMC in 1996.

She was a Catholic by faith and was baptized at St. Mary's Church. Her First Holy Communion, Conformation of faith and Wedding (1971) and now her final mass prior to the committal of her earthly cremains all happened at St. Mary's. This is where she spent her whole life of worship and attended St. Mary's Catholic School, Ursuline Academy for two years and two years at Bishop Walsh High School where she was a 1968 graduate.

After high school, she enrolled in the Memorial Hospital program for nursing. Three long years later, she graduated in 1971 as a registered nurse.

During the first year of her nursing career, she served as a Red Cross volunteer nurse at the Naval Air Station Hospital in Rota, Spain, where her husband was stationed. After moving home in 1972, Sharon began her professional nursing career at Memorial Hospital. She faithfully worked for 38 years in various departments. Her favorite department being the emergency shock trauma center.

She contributed to the development, not only for the shock trauma program, but was one of the pioneer nurses that started the forensic evidence program. This program was responsible for collecting evidence related to abuse or rape cases.

Sharon retired from nursing in 2009, shortly before Memorial Hospital moved to the new UPMC campus.

After her formal career, Sharon worked as a support mother/grandmother in various public school programs. Sharon's favorite program was being a member of the child abuse task force team.

Sharon loved going on vacations and cross country trips with her husband. Shortly after the trips, in 2015, she was diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer. She underwent numerous operations by numerous highly skilled doctors at UPMC- Pittsburgh. Returning to Cumberland Schwab Cancer Center, under the care of her doctor and friend Dr. Zuman, she was told from the first day that he would care for her to the best of his abilities, and all she had to do was live one day at a time. He told her to trust in God and in the hope of new cancer developments.

Sharon and her husband followed his advice the best that they could. With the care of many special nurses and doctors, they were blessed to have over eight years of continued life with their family and friends.

This is the short version of Sharon's amazing life story.

Sharon grew up in an era where God and family were the most important part of life.

To carry on her legacy, Sharon is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Ron Whitacre, of LaVale; son, Adam Whitacre, of Bel Air, his children, Alyssia Whitacre, Seth and Ethan Whitacre, Tim Reed and his wife Sheri, Kennedy Wolfe and fiancé Brandon Carnett with son Brayden, and Gabby Wolfe; daughter, Bethany Beatty and husband Chuck, of Cumberland and their daughter, Brylynn; grandchild, Drew Whitacre, who was born 17 days after, his father, Brian's death; great-grandchildren, Isabella, Makenna, Weston, Jaxon and Kolsyn; siblings, Debra Wadle and husband Rick, Donald Mellon and wife Irma, and James Mellon and wife Bonnie.

Friends will be received at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 108 Virginia Ave, Cumberland on Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary's Catholic Church, on Friday, September 22 at 10:00 a.m.

Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.