Sharin “Shay” L. Sullivan

Sharin “Shay” L. Sullivan, 68, went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, May 28, 2014.

Shay was born in Seattle, Wash., on July 24,1945, to Thomas and Myrtle Kennedy. Known as Sharin by her classmates, she had many talents and abilities, which were shown as she attended Park Rose High School in Portland, Ore. She was a medal winner on the high school swim team, cheerleader, aspiring actress in “Lil Abner,” and sang many a song with her high school band at local sock hops.

After moving to North Idaho in 1980, Shay could be found during the day slinging hash at the café in Schoonys Truckstop in Athol, and most nights both participating with, and supporting, any one of several area jam sessions where the locals showed off their talent for entertaining.

Often singing deep into the night, Shay sang songs like “The Rose,” or some of her own original music like “Are We Havin’ Fun Yet?,” or “From Waitin’ Home to Waitin Tables in Some Bar Room.” Shay had a unique love for her fellow musicians like few have known. Bands like Hickory Wind, and The Charlie Packard Band were just a couple of her favorites.

One person who comes to mind when I think of a close friend is David Everingham, a fellow musician Shay met while working at Schoonys. David turned wrenches in the mechanics shop at the truck stop, using his vast mechanical skills to help those in the area, even a ruddy kid or two without a dad to fix their motor cycles along the way.

Shay moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, in about 1990. She loved her morning cup of coffee, so off she’d go to the Samuels Store in her late 60's Toyota pickup she named DoDah. Shay left the north Idaho area in 2008, when she ventured to Eagle River, Alaska, “the last frontier," where she lived until a few weeks before her passing.

Shay is survived by her brother, Shane McWilliams; her children: beautiful daughter, Shannon Sullivan McEvers; and loving son, Tim Sullivan, both of North Idaho; seven grandchildren: Timothy , Ashley Anne, Felicia, Lindsey Mae, John, Nicholas, and Andrew; and four great grandchildren: Izabela, Reighlene, Olivia, and Emmalina.

Shay was loved more than she ever could have imagined, and will be greatly missed. Until we see you in heaven, Momma, Rest in Peace.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Friday June 6th at English Funeral Chapel, 1700 N. Spokane St., Post Falls, Idaho. There will be coffee and finger food following the ceremony until 5 pm.