Sharron Maili Wessel, longtime resident of Monroe, passed away on Thursday, November 16th after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. She was 78.
Born in Riverside, California, Sharron was the daughter of the late James Graham Haffter and Mary (May) Higgins Haffter. She graduated from California Polytechnic High School and Riverside Community College where she earned her degree as a paralegal.
Upon graduation, Sharron worked for the law firm of Crawford and Leech in Los Angeles. Sharron was proud of her work and was highly regarded in the legal community.
Sharron moved from California to Monroe in 1981 and quickly found her calling in the EMS community. Sharron started off as a volunteer with Monroe EMS and advanced through the ranks to become EMS Commissioner and the first paid EMT for the town.
She dutifully served the Town of Monroe for 25 years and made a difference in the lives of so many. After her many years of EMS Service, Sharron continued to make a difference by caring for the elderly in the community.
She belonged to St Gabriel Parish and especially enjoyed the services of Father James Maroney. In their younger days, Sharron and Norm travelled extensively and enjoyed many years “seeing the world” together.
In her later years, she enjoyed decorating her home and front porch for the holidays, spending time with family and helping anyone in need. She will be remembered for her love of family and friends, her dedication to helping those in need and her outspoken pride of her Irish heritage.
She is survived by her partner and best friend of 41 years Normand Mercier, son Ethan C. Wessel (Sarah Melinda) and their children Addison and Elliot, daughter Stephanie Maili Rickard (DJ) and their son Aiden Liam, stepsons Bill Mercier (Sandy) and their children Will, John and Molly and Marc Mercier and son Griffin. Sharron is also survived by sister Jonnie Chapman and brother James Haffter.
She was predeceased by sisters Patricia, Shirley, Beverly, parents James and Mary Haffter and beloved nephew Jimmy Mathes.
Friends are invited to call upon the family on Saturday, November 25th between 4 and 7 p.m. at Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home at 315 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT 06468. Prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m.
Sharron’s family would like to thank Dr. Peter McAllister and the staff of Cambridge Manor for their exemplary care of both patient and family. Dr. McAllister took care of Sharron for many years, and she would never have been as comfortable as she was during the last few years of her life without his care. He understood her unique needs, comforted her, and even made trips to Cambridge to check in. She spent so much time trying to fool you into thinking she was “fine,” but you were kind and loving; she always listened to what you had to say.
To the staff of Cambridge Manor: Over the past seven months, thank you for caring for Sharron as if she were your own family. From the reception desk to the nursing staff, you all became family to us. Zia (who came back to visit and pray with mom even though she resigned to focus on school), Kerry Ann who was the only one to get Sharron to eat and made sure her hair and makeup were perfect, Julie from social work who saved us on day 1 who became a friend and source of strength, Nancy, Emma, Harry, Betty and Gretta and Mel and Cheyenne for advocating for Sharron and always making sure that she was comfortable.
Celia, Linda, and Carol- thank you for being our 257-support team. You are family.
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