Ann Elizabeth Sharkey Fender , April 14, 1940 — October 23, 2018

Ann Elizabeth Fender, aged 78, of Hillsboro, Ohio, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2018 surrounded by family, after a long courageous battle with Alzheimers. She was born Ann Elizabeth Sharkey to the late John and Dorothy (Jackson) Sharkey on April 16, 1940. Ann attended school in West Carrollton, Ohio and then graduated with a BA from The Ohio State University and an MA from The University of Dayton.

While at Ohio State Ann met the love her life, Don Fender of Hillsboro. Following college and a brief time in Florida, they settled in Hillsboro. In addition to raising her two boys, she worked as a group and individual counselor for drug, alcohol, and physical abuse.

She was a founding member of the Highland District Hospital Foundation and served on its board of directors. She founded the “Diabetes and You” program after being diagnosed with adult onset diabetes. She was an active and tireless volunteer for the hospital and a longtime grief counsel volunteer for Hospice of Cincinnati.

She loved traveling, shopping, gardening, volunteering, and spending time with family and friends. No one ever enjoyed Christmas and all that it stood for more than Ann. The Season will always be a little less splendid without her.

Ann was preceded in death by parents and her brother William Sharkey. Left to honor Ann and remember her love are her husband of 57 years, Donald E. Fender Jr., her sons, Donald Eric Fender and his wife Connie of West Chester, OH, and Daron Emerson Fender and his wife Patricia of Mason, OH, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her aunt, Emil Sharkey of Dayton, OH, nieces, Erin and Katherine and a dear niece Brenna Sharkey of Westerville, OH; dear friends, Jim Hopkins and Ruthie Priest and the caregivers who became such a part of our family, Diana Meyers, Shasta Cumberland, Jill Whitley, Amelia Zornes, Stephanie Crum, and Brittany Flowers.

. Arrangements are with Rhoads-Edgington Funeral Home, Hillsboro, Ohio . A private memorial service will be at the convenience of the family at The Hillsboro United Methodist Church.

Contributions may be made to the Highland District Hospital Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Cincinnati.

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