Sharron Marie Hilton

Sharron Marie Hilton was born in Ronan, MT on Nov. 26, 1943 to parents Thomas Austin Helen Louise (Mitchell) Smith. She was the oldest of 3. 

Sharron went to school in Ronan, Montana (her most memorable) and other places as their family travels and parents' work warranted. One of her memories of childhood was her stepfather John (a house painter) and the rest of the family frequently leaving in the middle of the night afer a good rain, before homeowners discovered the paint was watered down. As a family they also traveled with a carnival. She experienced a true Gypsy life.

She married Jerry Rossmiller Mar. 1, 1960, when she was just 16, and had Connie later that year. Fourteen months later she had Christopher. They divorced Oct. of 1964. She eventually met Donald (Buck) Hilton, a handsome AirForce man in Great Falls, MT. He moved the family to Bellingham,  and on March 17, 1966 they married. Erin was born in 1967. Don had 2 sons from a prior marriage, Jeff Hilton and Roy Saylor. 

Sharron was a waitress most of her working life, starting in Montana and working in Bellingham for years at Cascade Pizza. She had an in-home Day Care for several years where she helped raise many other children. She then worked at St. Johns Glass where she was part owner for a period. 

Sharron loved plants and kept several inside the home and outside. She was a master ‘deadheader’ of spent flowers and could spend hours doing it. She often volunteered to come to family and neighbors homes and ‘deadhead’ their plants. Each spring would bring her a spark of joy to put in her flowers and a goal to maintain them throughout the summer. 

Along with her husband Don (Buck), they spent several years with the Mt. Baker Toppers, a barbershop harmony group. Don sang and Sharron was the cheerleading support. They went to many competitions in the US and Canada.

She enjoyed several collections throughout her life: vintage earrings, cobalt blue vases, swans and cat figurines. Her most recent collection was peacock anything. They brought her so much joy. 

Sharron struggled with depression throughout her life. She often referred to those times as being in her ‘rabbit hole’. When she was up, she had a huge bucket-list of things she wanted to do. Many of which she was able to accomplish. When she was down, things were a struggle for her. She wouldn’t want company, but it became the best thing for her to bring her back. Being around her grandchildren and great grandchildren gave her joy and purpose. 

Sharron was preceded in death by her parents Helen Rossmiller and Thomas Smith, step father John, husband Donald Hilton, brothers Terrence Smith, John Sloan Sr., and sister Debra Pugh.

She is survived by her children; daughter Connie (Craig) Baier, son Christopher (Nancy) Rossmiller, daughter Erin (Jeff) Slaughter, and sons Jeff (Sharon) Hilton and Roy (Bev) Saylor

She was blessed with Grandchildren; Troy (Melissa) Baier, Justin Baier (Marin), Jennifer (Damon) Fitzgibbon, Brittany Rossmiller, Courtney Sorensen (Dan), Shelby (Kyle) Eggleston, Cody Sorensen (Kylee), Mackenzie Bruland (Cody), Claire Hilton (Jerry), Kyle Saylor (Sammy), and Kelsey Saylor. 

Great grandchildren; Anthony, Dayton, Cruz, Hudsyn, Berkleigh, Ryder, Easton, Bolton and Evelyn. 

Some of her grandkids and great grandkids knew her as Glamma. She always had a mirror by her side putting on her lipstick and eyebrows. She was often the subject of many funny scare pranks from her daughter Erin and granddaughter Mackenzie. Priceless memories! We’re pretty sure it kept her young heart beating, and her favorite saying after each event was “Dammit Erin.” 

Memories of Sharron include her saying at the end of each phone call, “Smooches” and during her last months, “Over and Out”. She was full of verbal surprises like that.

Her cat Chula was her company for many years. 

The family will have a celebration of life sometime this summer. 

We want to thank her neighbors, Whatcom Hospice House, Peacehealth Whatcom Hospice, the CCS and Always Caring caregivers for helping her with their support to live a better life, and passing.