TAZ Obituary

Ms. Terry Anne Sharff, 49, died the 9th day of November in the year 2009 at 12:26 p.m., in the presence of caring staff of Thedacare @ Home Hospice Services (www.thedacare.org), at Cherry Meadows Hospice, her domestic partner, Le Osburn, and her chihuahua, Arianna, in Menasha, Wisconsin.

Ms. Sharff was born September 24, 1960, in Paris, Texas, to Peggy (Humphrey) Wood and Mr. Sharff (father unknown). Terry worked almost 20 years as a software engineer consultant, specializing in SAP software implementations. Having been employed by the maker of the software (SAP America, Inc.) she moved to the Fox Valley as an LE Functional Consultant to assist Bemis' implementation of SAP. Terry was also an avid quilter having designed and hand stitched numerous quilts. Terry's other passion was history, receiving a Bachelors of Art from the University of California in Davis. At that time she also worked on Diane Feinstein's campaign (http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/). Following her diagnosis in March of 2008 of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/amyotrophiclateralsclerosis/amyotrophiclateralsclerosis.htm), it was not unexpected that Terry dedicated many blogging hours on behalf of Barrack Obama's Presidential campaign. Additionally, Ms. Sharff lived with mindfulness intent as a vegetarian, sharing a love for animals and the environment alike, she supported PETA, ASPCA, the Sierra Club, The Environmental Defense Fund, The Wilderness Defense Fund, World Wildlife Fund, the Jane Goodall Institute, the Gorilla Foundation, and others too numerous to name. Additionally, Ms. Sharff followed civil liberties causes at Amnesty International and the Human Rights Campaign. Finally, Terry was an avid reader with interests including non-fiction, history, and science.

Ms. Sharff is survived by Ms. Lisa (“Le”) M. Osburn, her domestic partner, (celebrated April 19th, 2003 at Cedarlane Unitarian Universalist church in Silver Spring, Maryland). Survivors also include, two sons, Erin and Ryan Wellock who live on the West Coast where they were raised. Terry also leaves to Le Osburn's care two chihuahua's, Robbie and Arianna, and two pixie bob felines, Irving and Emery.

A memorial ride in Terry's power chair will be held to honor her on *12/19/2009* starting at *Corner of I10 & Cold Spring Road, Town of Menasha, Wisconsin* to help raise awareness of ALS. Le Osburn will coordinate the ride. If you would like to contribute to the ongoing research efforts to find a cure for ALS, please consider contributing to the Muscular Dystrophy Association's ALS Division.

Posted by Le Osburn (LMO) in honor of Taz.