Sharon Kay Mapes

Sharon K. Mapes

August 30, 1943 – October 4, 2026

Sharon Kay Mapes, adored wife, sister, mother, Babylove, aunt, and wonderfully spirited soul, was welcomed into the loving arms of her Savior on October 4, 2026.

Sharon joins in Heaven her parents, Oscar Ray Reiber and Lenora May (Bell) Reiber; her beloved husband, Paul E. Mapes; her cherished sister, Karen E. Linson.

She leaves behind her daughter, Robbin (Jake) Mapes; her brother, William (Linda) Reiber; and a beautiful legacy that continues: Her grandchildren: Danielle Tolkendorf, Brooke (Johnny) Cropper, Austin (Abi Choman) Pennington, Logan Pennington, and Seth Pennington. Her great-grandchildren: Ava (Jaydin Harmon) Tolkendorf, Vanessa Tolkendorf, Erika Tolkendorf, Gavin Tolkendorf, Klara Tolkendorf, Willow Tolkendorf, Darien Cropper, Gracelyn Cropper, Lincoln Pennington, and Archer Pennington. Great-great-grandson, Kaydin Harmon, and her nieces, Gina (Tim) Huffman and Angela (Barry) Fowler.

Sharon’s faith in our Lord and Savior was firm, yet gentle and loving. She lived her life with compassion, creativity, devotion, and a sense of wonder that was uniquely her own.

Sharon possessed an artistic playfulness that had a way of bringing out the inner child in everyone around her. Her stories were never ordinary or mundanely structured. They were richly vibrant, imaginative adventures that made you feel as though you had stepped inside the tale itself.

One did not simply watch Peter Pan with Babylove. She created shadows from pantyhose, filled the S.S. Lost Boy’s ship with water, and suddenly you were sailing away to conquer the Jolly Roger! Of course, the ultimate conquest was making Captain Hook and Mr. Smee “WALK THE PLANK!”

It was said that as a child, Sharon once watched a movie with her little brother and later conspired with him to jump from the roof with umbrellas. Truth or tale? Whether wise or wildly adventurous, such stories perfectly captured the spirit she carried throughout her life. May we all learn from Sharon to let the child within our hearts remain free.

Sharon taught those around her to slow down and truly absorb the joy that surrounded them. She believed the fast-paced world often robbed us of life’s little opportunities. In her presence, there was no need to race through the store, hurry through a conversation, or rush an interaction. Sharon reminded us that sometimes the most meaningful moments are found when we simply stop and enjoy them.

Sharon raised stunning show Dobermans, a breed she passionately admired. Sharon never believed love should be limited by pedigree. There was always room in her heart for the mixed breeds, too. Many will forever remember little Bo-Willy and Ink, and her sweet cat, Earl—the Black Pearl. Her love extended to all of God’s little creatures: dogs, cats, birds, roly-polies, flowers, and every small wonder that crossed her path. Sharon found beauty where others might have overlooked it.

Sharon gave herself effortlessly to the people she loved. To be loved by Sharon was to know that you would never be left without her support, generosity, encouragement, or unwavering devotion.

Her pride and joy was her daughter, Robbin Mapes. Not a day passed without Sharon speaking of Robbin’s beauty, strength, accomplishments, and the immense pride she carried for her.

While she may have been a grandmother by title, she is forever and always Babylove.

When it came to her siblings, there was no better way to describe them than the Three Amigos; a bond filled with love, memories and a lifetime of shared stories.

Sharon leaves behind much more than memories; she leaves behind a way of seeing the world.

• She taught us to slow down.
• To notice the little things.
• To love generously.
• To care for every living creature.
• To create joy where there was none.
• To tell stories worth remembering.
• To laugh, to play, and to never become so grown-up that we forget the child within us.

May our sorrow eventually give way to gratitude for the beautiful life she shared with us. Blessed we are to honor Sharon not only by remembering her, but by living the legacy she gave us. And when we look for her, may we find her in the little things: a child’s laughter, a beloved animal, a beautiful flower, an imaginative story, a Tootsie Roll, or a moment when the world suddenly feels a little slower and a little more magical.

Sharon knew something that many of us spend a lifetime trying to remember:

There is wonder everywhere, if only we take the time to see it.

• “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters; he restoreth my soul.”
• Psalm 23:1–3