Sharon E. Christensen

"Palmer- Sharon E. (Courtemanche) Christensen, 38, of S. Main St. in Bondsville, passed away after a courageous battle with leukemia March 14 at UMASS Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. Born May 10, 1966 in Holyoke, MA, she is the daughter of Patricia (Jarry) and Raymond Courtemanche of Monson. Sharon grew up in Chicopee and Monson and graduated from Monson High School in 1984. Working for a few years as a home health aide for the elderly, Sharon then began volunteering in the Palmer school system and later became a teacher’s aide at Old Mill Pond School. She filled her time with being a den mother for the Cub Scouts, an assistant Boy Scout leader, Sunday school teacher and on the Board of Christian Education at the Second Congregational Church, treasurer for Palmer Cowboy Football team, but most importantly the love and giving of herself to her friends and family. Besides her parents, she leaves her husband of 17 years, Philip, two sons, Nathan and Jacob both at home, a maternal grandmother Mary Jarry of Monson, a brother Michael of Bondsville, a sister Judy Hassett and her husband John of Bondsville, in-laws, Philip Sr. and Shirley of Palmer, brother and sister-in-laws Carol, Joan, Chuck, Jeannie, Candi, Bonnie, and Laurie. Sharon also is survived by an uncle Donald Courtemanche and aunt Claudia Irwin, as well as many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Second Congregational Church, 1080 Pleasant St., where she and her family were members. Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, to make donations in Sharon’s memory to Nathan and Jacob’s Educational Fund, c/o Country Bank, N.Main St., Palmer, MA 01069. "