Sharon Rae Hovey Wilkin
July 1, 1941 ~ March 8, 2014
Sharon Rae Hovey-Wilkin
Born July 1, 1941 to Raymond and Evelyn Hovey died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, March 8th, 2014 at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, Fairfax, Virginia. When Sharon was 17, she was injured in an amusement park accident in Belgium that drastically changed the course of her life.
She graduated from The University of Illinois with her bachelor's and master's degree in education in 1965. That same year, she married Jonathan Wilkin, a quadriplegic disabled in a motorcycle accident, who she met while in college. She was often known to say, "If you're not living on the Edge, You're taking up too much space!" As a self-proclaimed Thrill-Seeker, and biker babe wannabe, she has led a wonderfully fulfilling life since her accident. Some of her amazing accomplishments include being twice named Outstanding Handicapped Federal Female Employee of the Year, she helped to lobby Congress to overturn President Nixon's veto of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, she attended the inaugural parade for Jimmy Carter and was one of 10 federal employees to meet with him. She was also instrumental in helping draft the legislation to help get the American with Disabilities Act into Law.
She was preceded in death by her father, Raymond, mother, Evelyn, and brother, Milton.
She is survived by her brother, Martin of Lakewood, NY a nephew, Owen Hovey (Denise) of Ashville, a niece, Jocelyn (Hovey) Jones (Jacob) of Ashville, 4 Great Nieces: Marra and Corrine Hovey, Jessalyn and Jenica Jones, and 2 Great Nephews: Mitchell Hovey and Jaden Jones.
a Celebration of Life will be held at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Lakewood, NY on Saturday, March 15th at 10:00 am Friends and Family are welcome. An Inspiration to all that met and knew her,
She will be sadly missed. Online condolences and fond memories of Sharon may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Born July 1, 1941 to Raymond and Evelyn Hovey died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, March 8th, 2014 at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, Fairfax, Virginia. When Sharon was 17, she was injured in an amusement park accident in Belgium that drastically changed the course of her life.
She graduated from The University of Illinois with her bachelor's and master's degree in education in 1965. That same year, she married Jonathan Wilkin, a quadriplegic disabled in a motorcycle accident, who she met while in college. She was often known to say, "If you're not living on the Edge, You're taking up too much space!" As a self-proclaimed Thrill-Seeker, and biker babe wannabe, she has led a wonderfully fulfilling life since her accident. Some of her amazing accomplishments include being twice named Outstanding Handicapped Federal Female Employee of the Year, she helped to lobby Congress to overturn President Nixon's veto of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, she attended the inaugural parade for Jimmy Carter and was one of 10 federal employees to meet with him. She was also instrumental in helping draft the legislation to help get the American with Disabilities Act into Law.
She was preceded in death by her father, Raymond, mother, Evelyn, and brother, Milton.
She is survived by her brother, Martin of Lakewood, NY a nephew, Owen Hovey (Denise) of Ashville, a niece, Jocelyn (Hovey) Jones (Jacob) of Ashville, 4 Great Nieces: Marra and Corrine Hovey, Jessalyn and Jenica Jones, and 2 Great Nephews: Mitchell Hovey and Jaden Jones.
a Celebration of Life will be held at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Lakewood, NY on Saturday, March 15th at 10:00 am Friends and Family are welcome. An Inspiration to all that met and knew her,
She will be sadly missed. Online condolences and fond memories of Sharon may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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You will be missed. You were an awesome neighbor and a great friend!
Fond memories of a good friend, neighbor and beloved member of our extended family.
Sharon was a great friend—-we were in regular contact—one of the things we enjoyed the most was going to different tennis matches-I remember when we went to GW University and they insisted she get out of her chair and go into the stands—finally we were able to find a place to be—-I wrote a letter to the school and we got an apology—we went to the National theatre and the Kennedy Center often—and would have dinner at her local spots though Sharon also enjoyed the cooking and watching a movie—she was very supportive to me and one would never know of her disability—-she was also so smart and I appreciated her keen sensitivity to some of my concerns—she was very supportive—–my sympathy to the family—she loved her visits with her nephew and niece and the kids and all the the family she created with Emily and Martha and Mike—-
Sharon—you were a great friend know I will miss you so much—-Jody