Sharon Ruth (Figeley) Jones
November 27th, 1941 - January 15th, 2025
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Sharon Ruth's Obituary
Sharon Ruth (Figeley) Jones, 83, was baptized into the hope of The Lord’s resurrection on January 15, 2025, at the Caretel Assisted Living Center in St. Joseph, Michigan, following a long illness.
Sharon was an extraordinary woman whose intellect, trailblazing spirit, and dedication to service were an example to many young women and men who sought her academic, clinical, and personal mentorship throughout the years.
She was born in South Haven, Michigan on November 27, 1941. She graduated from South Haven High School in 1959 and attended St. Joseph Beauty College, graduating in 1960.
She married William Jacob Figeley in South Haven on September 30, 1961. Together they welcomed two children. The family were members of First English Lutheran Church (now Peace Lutheran) in South Haven. Sharon and William's marriage ended in 1988.
While raising her children and working full-time as a hairdresser, Sharon returned to college, earning bachelor's and master's degrees, both magna cum laude, from Western Michigan University.
Following her licensure, Sharon worked as a psychotherapist for the Van Buren County Health Department in South Haven and for The Helen Ross McNabb Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. In Knoxville, she earned a reputation as a gifted clinician and diagnostician. She also supervised graduate student interns at the University of Tennessee. Later, she co-founded a private practice in Knoxville and worked there until her retirement. She returned to live in Dowagiac, Michigan fifteen years ago.
Sharon was an expert cook and would often re-create (and improve) restaurant dishes that her friends or family had enjoyed. She was a voracious reader of several books per month. She also enjoyed doting on her dogs, decorating her lovely home, and nurturing her gardens.
Sharon devoted her life to the service of the marginalized, the oppressed, and the poor, as a duty of her faith. She was actively involved in the civil rights and women's movements and often brought her young children to rallies intended to advance civil rights legislation. She found purpose in treating chronically mentally ill, developmentally disabled, and economically disadvantaged patients. On cold winter days, she was known to give away her own coat or boots to someone on the street who had no warm clothing. For all of her fine acts of courage, conscience, and humility, her family will be forever in awe of her.
Sharon is survived by her devoted life partner, Melinda S. Triemstra of Dowagiac, who brought immense joy to the last 38 years of Sharon’s life and to the lives of the entire family. The family will always be grateful for the selflessness and unbounded dedication with which she cared for Sharon at home during her long illness.
Sharon is also survived by her daughter, Melinda Figeley Dean, son-in-law Ronald E. Dean, and twin grandsons Kiernan and Quinn Dean, all of Austin, Texas and Douglas, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence R. and Vople M. (Brill) Jones, former husband, sister Donna Delaney, three nephews, and dearly missed son William Jon Figeley.
At Sharon’s request, no services will be held. If you wish, please make a memorial donation in Sharon's name to PACE of Southwestern Michigan in St. Joseph, or to the Al-Van Humane Society.
To view Sharon’s personal web page please visit www.starksfamilyfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel of Starks Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 269-637-0333.
Sharon was an extraordinary woman whose intellect, trailblazing spirit, and dedication to service were an example to many young women and men who sought her academic, clinical, and personal mentorship throughout the years.
She was born in South Haven, Michigan on November 27, 1941. She graduated from South Haven High School in 1959 and attended St. Joseph Beauty College, graduating in 1960.
She married William Jacob Figeley in South Haven on September 30, 1961. Together they welcomed two children. The family were members of First English Lutheran Church (now Peace Lutheran) in South Haven. Sharon and William's marriage ended in 1988.
While raising her children and working full-time as a hairdresser, Sharon returned to college, earning bachelor's and master's degrees, both magna cum laude, from Western Michigan University.
Following her licensure, Sharon worked as a psychotherapist for the Van Buren County Health Department in South Haven and for The Helen Ross McNabb Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. In Knoxville, she earned a reputation as a gifted clinician and diagnostician. She also supervised graduate student interns at the University of Tennessee. Later, she co-founded a private practice in Knoxville and worked there until her retirement. She returned to live in Dowagiac, Michigan fifteen years ago.
Sharon was an expert cook and would often re-create (and improve) restaurant dishes that her friends or family had enjoyed. She was a voracious reader of several books per month. She also enjoyed doting on her dogs, decorating her lovely home, and nurturing her gardens.
Sharon devoted her life to the service of the marginalized, the oppressed, and the poor, as a duty of her faith. She was actively involved in the civil rights and women's movements and often brought her young children to rallies intended to advance civil rights legislation. She found purpose in treating chronically mentally ill, developmentally disabled, and economically disadvantaged patients. On cold winter days, she was known to give away her own coat or boots to someone on the street who had no warm clothing. For all of her fine acts of courage, conscience, and humility, her family will be forever in awe of her.
Sharon is survived by her devoted life partner, Melinda S. Triemstra of Dowagiac, who brought immense joy to the last 38 years of Sharon’s life and to the lives of the entire family. The family will always be grateful for the selflessness and unbounded dedication with which she cared for Sharon at home during her long illness.
Sharon is also survived by her daughter, Melinda Figeley Dean, son-in-law Ronald E. Dean, and twin grandsons Kiernan and Quinn Dean, all of Austin, Texas and Douglas, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence R. and Vople M. (Brill) Jones, former husband, sister Donna Delaney, three nephews, and dearly missed son William Jon Figeley.
At Sharon’s request, no services will be held. If you wish, please make a memorial donation in Sharon's name to PACE of Southwestern Michigan in St. Joseph, or to the Al-Van Humane Society.
To view Sharon’s personal web page please visit www.starksfamilyfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Filbrandt Chapel of Starks Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 269-637-0333.
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