Sharon Richardson, 82

Sharon Louise Richardson of Polson passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Aug. 23, 2024.

Sharon was born in Nampa, Idaho, Feb. 13, 1942. Sharon’s mother’s name was Beulah Hayes, and her father was James Patrick Hayes. She had siblings as well, two of whom are still alive today.

Sharon had five siblings, including James Hayes Jr., Joseph Daniel Hayes and Barbara Ann Lee, who are deceased, and two living siblings, Gene Hayes of Idaho and Ellen Starcevic of Oregon, whom Sharon has kept in contact with over the years.

Sharon was a wonderful person and highly respected as well. She graduated from high school in 1960. She went on to do many amazing things in her life including attending college at the National Judicial College, an agency that trains members of the judiciary at all levels.

Sharon had a passion for justice and worked as a justice court clerk for 18-plus years. She ran for and won the race to be Justice of the Peace of Lake County and St. Ignatius several times in her life.

Her training and expertise were extensive, and she received specialized training including but not limited to, Intoxilyzer training, radar training and self-defense. She was active in our community and in helping others and was involved with the American Red Cross and was also an Army Community Service volunteer and received many awards from different military bases.

Sharon also had a passion for foreign exchange students and was involved for many years in helping them. Some of her students still visited grandma and they kept in contact in recent years. Her students came from all over and she was able to welcome and get them started in our communities. Some examples of places she had students from are Spain, Germany, France and Tokyo.

Aside from all the amazing things Sharon has done for our community as well as others, she had many hobbies that she enjoyed. Hunting and camping were activities that she got to enjoy for many years with her husband, Robert Richardson, and her sons and grandchildren. She was good with a rifle and even in her more recent years was always on target when hunting.

She enjoyed being out in the woods and would always be caught cleaning up after meals and loved to sit with the grandkids and roast marshmallows. She loved her hot dogs burnt but her marshmallows golden. When she was not camping in the woods she enjoyed going to the local theater and watching plays.

Sharon Richardson was a unique and one-of-a-kind type of person. Everywhere she went she was loved and favored for her personality and relations with others. She will be deeply missed by many. Sharon had a rich family history and had three sons in her life. She lost one at an early age; his name was Brook Smout, and he was also very loved by this community.

She is survived by Patrick Smout and Edwin Smout Jr., her two living sons; her siblings, Ellen Starcevic and Gene Hayes Gabriel; her grandchildren, Jesse Jamyz Smout and Kastle Smout; and her great-grandchildren, including Luke Smout, Samuel Smout, Pebbles Largent, Nevaeh Largent and Lucas Largent.

Sharon will be laid to rest next to her beloved son, Brook, at Lakeview Cemetery in Polson with a graveside service at 11 a.m. Sept. 14, 2024. Following the service, the family will be hosting a gathering\luncheon on the lawn of the Lake County Courthouse. The family would love everyone who knew or worked with Sharon to join them and help celebrate her life. Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.

Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.