Former Oak Forest woman always was ‘family first’

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Moss

Updated: February 23, 2012 8:19AM

Tim Moss remembers his mother, Sharon, as an outgoing woman who could start a conversation with anyone and was extremely involved in the lives of her children.

“She was always on the go with us,” said Moss, a lieutenant with the Oak Forest Fire Department. “She was definitely one of the moms who got involved in her kids’ stuff.”

Mrs. Moss was president of the Prairie-Hills School District 144 PTA and participated in numerous school-related activities as well youth sports organizations, her son said.

Mrs. Moss died suddenly Jan. 7, shortly after visiting her husband John’s grave on the couple’s 51st wedding anniversary and his 81st birthday. She was 70.

“I guess we’ll call it romantic,” Moss said. “They’re in heaven drinking wine and eating cheese and crackers.”

A Chicago native, Mrs. Moss grew up in St. Sabina Parish, where she attended grammar school. She is a graduate of Fenger High School in Chicago’s Roseland community.

She and her husband lived in Chicago Heights after they were married in 1961 and moved to Oak Forest six years later.

Mrs. Moss also had a varied professional career and worked night shifts when her children were young so she could care for them during the day, Tim Moss said.

She managed the Papa’s Pizza in Oak Forest, worked as an admissions clerk at South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, served as administrative assistant to the president at Lions Club International in Oak Brook and worked for Prudential Insurance.

“She was very outgoing, but she always put her family first,” said Moss, who said his mother’s attributes helped him succeed in his profession.

“She was the most caring, loving woman,” Moss said. “She always had a smile on her face.”

Mrs. Moss and her husband moved to Elwood after their retirement, where she was a founder of the Children’s Garden of Elwood in 1997. The garden is planted by children and offers plays areas as well as space for picnics, yoga and meditation.

Mrs. Moss is survived by sons Scott, Keith and Tim, daughters Kelly and Karri and 13 grandchildren.

A memorial Mass was said Friday at St. Joseph’s Church of Manhattan. Burial followed at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.

Donations can be made to the Children’s Garden of Elwood.