Sharon Marlene Mercer Galbraith, PhD
1947 ~ 2013
We come together in love to say farewell to Sharon Galbraith after her battle with lung cancer. Until the end, Sharon faced life with courage, humor, and resilience. She died peacefully in her sleep on December 30 in Seattle. Born in Eau Claire, WI, Sharon and her mother moved to live with her aunt and grandmother in Calgary, AB, when Sharon was six months old. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Calgary, she worked as a successful radio advertising salesperson in Key West, FL; San Francisco and Pasadena, CA; and Calgary. She then received an MBA and a PhD in Marketing from the University of Washington. She became a beloved professor of marketing at Seattle University, where she earned numerous teaching awards, scholarships, and grants. Sharon’s beautiful blue eyes and big smile radiated warmth and intelligence. A good listener and wise adviser, she enjoyed sharing confidences and adventures with her friends. She relished gardening, cooking, travel, and the company of beloved family, students, friends, and ‘Kitty’. Sharon leaves behind her cousins Stewart and Shirley Galbraith (Kim, Michael, and TJ); close friends Charles Rogers, Yvonne Heuving, Donna Finley, June Francis, Dave Robertson, and Mary Jo and Rich Bitner; and a host of other friends, relatives, and former students throughout the world. She was pre-deceased by great friend and mentor Father LaRue.
A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held at Seattle University at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Seattle Opera or the Junior Faculty Professional Development Grant Program established by Sharon at Seattle University.