Obituary of Sharon M. Pepper

Sharon M. Pepper Canandaigua- Sharon Pepper, longtime Canandaigua resident, passed away unexpectedly March 4, 2016 in the emergency department at Thompson Health. Sharon was a native of Oswego, NY. After obtaining a nursing degree from SUNY's Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, she later became a licensed nursing home administrator. Serving eight years as an administrator at the Bethany Center in Horseheads and two years as executive director of the Groton Community Health Care Center, Sharon joined Thompson Health in 1991 as administrator of the skilled-nursing facility now known as the M.M. Ewing Continuing Center and its off-site medical adult day program, The Brighter Day. Both experienced tremendous growth under her leadership and in 2001, the independent living community of Ferris Hills at West Lake and enriched living community of Clark Meadows were added to Thompson's continuum of care and to Sharon's responsibilities as Senior Vice President of Senior Living Services. Over two decades, Sharon mentored several associates with Thompson, serving as a role model to many more, especially in the field of long-term care. She brought energy, excitement and fun to her profession, inspiring undying dedication and loyalty. She valued each of her team members. In turn, they supported her vision of high-quality care, delivered with compassion and with a focus on the dignity of each individual resident. Thompson became a recognized leader in dementia care, while quality-of-life enhancements under Sharon's leadership included the creation of the outdoor Healing Garden, as well as the Wish Upon a Star Program. Not surprisingly, Sharon was also instrumental in developing Thompson's corporate CARES Values (Commitment, Action, Respect, Excellence and Service). She also worked with the Sands Cancer Center and Thompson's Social Work Department to create the annual Colors of Hope and Courage event, which honors our community's cancer survivors, those fighting cancer, and their families. While her family was her top priority, Sharon's community involvement was extensive and included the Canandaigua Rotary Club, the Canandaigua Cemetery Association, the YMCA and Finger Lakes Visiting Nurse Service as well as her church. Professional affiliations included the American College of Healthcare Executives and the New York State Board of Nursing Home Administrators, which the governor appointed her to in 2008, for a two-year term. A guest speaker at state and national healthcare conferences, Sharon was Canandaigua's 1998 recipient of the ATHENA Award and in 2007 was named the winner of the James W. Sanderson Memorial Award from the New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. In 2011, she received a Health Care Achievement Award, in the category of senior care, from the Rochester Business Journal. As a friend said upon Sharon's 2011 retirement, "She has always been about doing what she can to meet the needs of others in the most effective way. And she has done it well." Godspeed Sharon, and thank you. Sharon is survived by her husband of 51 years, Robert Pepper; sister, Constance (Dana Malley) Mahool; and niece, Nicole Mahool. Friends may call Tuesday, March 8, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Fuller Funeral Home, Inc. 190 Buffalo St. Canandaigua. An 11 a.m. funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 9, at the First United Methodist Church, 100 N. Main St. Canandaigua. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. A contribution in Sharon's memory may be made to: The Sharon M. Pepper Wish Upon a Star program, 350 Parrish St. Canandaigua, NY 14424 or Woodlawn Chapel Restoration Fund, 130 N. Pearl St. Canandaigua.