Sharon Esther (Aston) Olsen

In Loving Memory of Sharon Esther Aston Finger Coleman Olsen

It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of loss that we announce the passing of Sharon Esther Aston Finger Coleman Olsen, who went the way of all mankind on Friday, September 12th, embraced by her two cherished daughters. In her final week, Sharon was held in a gentle circle of love and support by her grandchildren, stepdaughters, nephew, and a wide extended family and friends—each visit, FaceTime, and phone call weaving a tapestry of devotion around her, bathing her spirit in a waterfall of endless affection. Sharon's journey from this world was marked by the warmth and tenderness of those who loved her dearly.

Sharon’s absence leaves an irreplaceable void in the lives of all who had the privilege to know her, but her legacy endures in the countless ways she touched hearts and communities.

Born on June 29, 1940, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Sharon’s early life was steeped in the vibrant cultures of Artesia and Roswell, New Mexico. She later moved to Beverly Hills, California, where she continued her education at esteemed institutions: Westlake School for Girls, Scripps College in Claremont, The Sorbonne in Paris, and UCLA. Sharon’s intellectual curiosity blossomed in these formative years, laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning and adventure.

Sharon’s professional journey reflected her commitment to art and hospitality. She managed and briefly owned the first commercial art gallery in Laguna Beach, the Challis Galleries, which was eventually renamed The Esther Wells Collection. Her discerning taste and flawless eye lent to the warmth of Laguna’s oldest commercial gallery. Later, Sharon excelled in hospitality, applying her impeccable organizational skills as an Office Manager in Food & Beverage departments at both Hilton and Hyatt hotels. Her work ethic, attention to detail, and gracious professionalism elevated every workplace she graced.

Sharon’s love for the natural beauty and history of the Verde Valley began in her childhood, as a camper in the 1950s at The Orme School & Camp in Mayer, Arizona. The Verde Valley stayed a touchstone for Sharon throughout her life. In the 1980s, she realized a dream by buying Bald Hill Ranch off Cherry Road Exit, where she hosted roundups and fostered a spirit of camaraderie on her working cattle ranch. Even as the demands of ranching grew, Sharon’s resolve never faltered; when the time came, she relocated “down the hill” to Rimrock in the mid-1990s, continuing to nurture connections and traditions that defined her love for the region.

Archaeology was Sharon’s great avocational passion. In her retirement, she devoted countless hours volunteering on archaeological digs at the Museum of Northern Arizona, where her enthusiasm and dedication were cherished by peers and professionals alike. She was a founding member of the Verde Valley Archaeology Center in Camp Verde, a docent at the V-V Heritage Site, and a site steward for two important locations in Rimrock. Sharon’s deep knowledge and curiosity made her a local specialist in the Ancestral Puebloans (Ancestral Pueblo People, formerly known as the Anasazi). She delighted in sharing stories, facts, and the mysteries of petroglyphs, rock engravings, and relief sculptures with family, friends, tourists, and curious strangers, unraveling the history of Native Americans across the Southwest. Despite a shared apprehension of ledges and edges during field trips, Sharon’s adventurous spirit always triumphed, propelling her across the U.S. and South America in pursuit of archaeological discoveries.

Sharon’s talents extended far beyond archaeology. She was a gifted gardener whose green thumb transformed every home she inhabited, adorning spaces with vibrant blossoms and delicious fruits. Her gourmet cooking and hosting skills are unmatched, her love of reading was legendary; Sharon’s voracious appetite for literature allowed her to finish a book a day, leaving “trails of novel dust clouds” in her wake. Her encyclopedic memory of history, paired with her talent for storytelling, fascinated, and educated all who had the pleasure of hearing her retelling of historical facts, each story a bridge to the past and an inspiration for the future.

Sharon is remembered for her elegance, class, kindness, warmth, and generosity. She is survived by her devoted dog Lily; her beloved husband of forty five years, Norman Olsen; her two daughters; three grandchildren; two stepdaughters; three step grandchildren; and an extended circle of family, friends, and admirers. Sharon’s charitable deeds and cherished memories continue to enrich the Verde Valley and the many lives she touched. Her archaeological colleagues remember her not only for her expertise but for being a giver of great hugs.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sharon Esther (Aston) Olsen, please visit our floral store.