Sharon Joy Lindquist

Sharon Joy Lindquist, 83, of Barrington, passed away Friday, September 20, 2024 and is with our Heavenly Father. She was born in Oak Park, Illinois to Dr. Arthur K. and Shirley R. Spiering. Sharon’s father passed when she was a toddler. She was raised by her single mom until Edward H. Schwager, a World War II Navy veteran whom Sharon regarded as her father in every way, completed their family. 

Sharon lived an incredibly interesting life full of love for humankind and family. During her teens, while on spring break in Florida, she was photographed in the back of a convertible and the iconic photo was published in Time Magazine. Sharon regularly cut through the Brookfield Zoo on her way home from Riverside Brookfield High School, and her first job was as a soda jerk at the local drug store. Sharon obtained a degree in law from Roosevelt University, then later retired as President of Stranco Products in Schaumburg, IL, a company she co-owned with her second husband, and love of her life, Ron.  

Sharon and Ron loved to play cards and travel, especially within western Europe. Once they unexpectedly found themselves seated at a blackjack table with James Caan and Charlton Heston! But by far their lifetime travel highlight was taking all their children and grandchildren on a 2-week Alaskan cruise. Sharon and Ron often made anonymous donations of community needs such as public AED Defibrillators, protection gear for police and K9 officers, and other local needs they would hear about on the news.  

Surviving are Sharon’s children from her first marriage with J. Norman Anderson: Karin J. (Michael R.) Davis, Jr. of Sturgis, MI, and Mark E. (Marissa) Anderson of Bourbonnais, IL, and grandchildren Emily (Drew) Gray-Wilson and Matthew Anderson, and many nieces and nephews. Sharon was blessed with stepchildren from her marriage with Ronald A. Lindquist: Deedee (John) Bird, Rick (JoLynn) Lindquist, and Vicki (Tom) Amsler, and grandchildren Jake and Natalie Lindquist, Allison (Kevin) Farrell, and Brooke (Josh) Meyer, Joey, and Marie Amsler, as well as great-grandchildren Kelly and Andrew Farrell. 

Sharon’s family would like to express deepest gratitude to the staff at Prairieview at the Garlands of Barrington, especially Christina, her nurse/care giver and close friend for several years, and to Tammy and the staff at Vitas Hospice Care.  

Services for Sharon will be held privately but please raise a glass of red wine or a CC Manhattan with a loved one tonight in Sharon’s memory. Donations, if desired, may be made in Sharon’s memory to either the Alzheimer’s Association or a veteran support or animal wellness organization.