Sharon Hays Pell, 68, of Franklin died at 1:09 p.m. Saturday at her home surrounded by her family.
A daughter of the late Joseph Ardell and Eleanor Marburger Hays she was born in New Castle on February 22, 1946. She lived her early life in Prospect and was valedictorian of the 1964 class of Slippery Rock High School. She completed her undergraduate studies at Grove City College in 1968 with a B.A. in mathematics. She was a member of Delta Sigma Phi Sorority. She received her Master of Education degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1971..
She was an educator and taught at North Hills, Cranberry and Oil City schools, as well as Slippery Rock University and Univ. of Pittsburgh at Titusville. The majority of her career was spent teaching high school math at Franklin from 1989 until her retirement in 2010. While at Franklin, she served as advisor to the National Honor Society, encouraging the students to participate in community service projects, particularly with the American Red Cross Blood Drive which she organized at Franklin High School for many years..
She was a 45 year member of the First Presbyterian Church in Franklin. She served as an elder, trustee, Clerk of Session, treasurer for the Presbyterian Women and taught the adult Sunday school class. Sharon had a heart for helping others and served as chair for the Global Mission Committee.
Her greatest joy came from spending time with her grandchildren and family. She maintained many long-term friendships, cultivated during her years of teaching and church work. She also enjoyed gardening, reading, cooking, and baking. For a time she served as Worthy Advisor for the Meridian Rainbow Girls. She was involved in organizing her 50th high school class reunion to be held next week.
On December 27, 1969 she married R. Scott Pell Sr.; he died December 28, 1998.
Surviving are a son Raymond Scott Pell Jr. of Franklin, two daughters Lindsay Pell Ryder and her husband Robert of Worthington, OH and Heather Pell Adams and her husband Nicholas of Girard, and two grandchildren Sarah Danielle Adams and Nathaniel Eugene Adams. Also surviving are a sister Novelle Hays Donovan and her husband Jere of Harrisville, a brother Joseph Ardell Hays Jr and his wife Lillie of Houston, TX, her mother-in-law Marion Elaine Pell of Valparaiso, IN and several nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received in the Huff Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 312 W. Park St, Franklin from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Wednesday and from 11 a.m. until noon on Thursday. Funeral services will be held in the First Presbyterian Church, 1250 Elk St., Franklin at 1 p.m. Thursday with the Rev. Charles Cammarata, pastor of the Fairview Presbyterian Church officiating.
Interment will follow in the Franklin Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Seneca Hills Bible Camp, 276 Damascus Rd., Polk, 16342
