GO TO:  Sonoma County Free Press Home Page | Columns | Features

A Short List of Things Mama Loved ~ Compiled By Mary Moore SHARRON "MAMA" O'SHEA Died February 27, 1998

A GOOD JOKE - A laugh was the best therapy for Mama and she was still telling jokes when she was flat on her back living in a ward with twenty other people. This was hard on a woman who liked her privacy.

HER LISTENERS - Always kind, even to those who didn't always deserve it, she wanted to hear peoples opinions and give her own. She loved to "Shout Out" Make no mistake, you were important to her. After the "purge" of '95 she no longer listened to KPFA. She preferred KGO for the exchange of ideas.

JAZZ and STREET THEATER - This was her background and she loved show business. Her parents had been in vaudeville so she grew up with it.

NATURE, TREES, SUNFLOWERS - Mama was a Druid in her soul. Unfortunately she was cooped up in her later years; first in her apartment on the 8th floor and for the last two years at Laguna Honda. When she was able she went for outings & was particularly fond of a redwood tree in Camp Meeker.

TALKING ON THE PHONE - Dishing the dirt but always with compassion.

POKING FUN AT THE BOYS AT BOHO GROVE - This gave Mama endless pleasure and material over the years and she milked it!!

BURRITOS & PECAN PIE - Because she was diabetic, this could be a problem.

HER OLD DOG BARNEY - He had to go when she moved to the apartment

SHARING THE COVER OF THE S. C. FREE PRESS WITH BILL WAHPEPAH - She loved the paper because it encouraged dialogue to build the movement.

FOOTBALL - And especially the '49ers. We'd never call if a game was on!!!

JANICE LEBER'S MUSIC & SATIRE - Janice couldn't crank it out fast enough!

BILLY DEE WILLIAMS - Until she learned how conservative he'd become and then she dumped him!

JUSTICE - This was the burning passion at the core of Mama's soul.

LOOKIN' GOOD - She never left home without her makeup on and didn't like folks visiting her in the hospital if she wasn't READY!!

Mary Moore 3/8/98

Add your thoughts and memories of Mama: E-mail me at clp@juno.com

 Send Email to Sonoma County Free Press