Sharon Joyce Patras (Nee Smith), Beloved Wife of Lewis N. Patras. Loving Mother of Lisa (Dan) McShane. Michelle Patras and Nick (Blanca) Patras. Cherished Grandmother of Katie (Kyle) McBrien, Daniel McShane, John (Kristen) McShane, Ellie McShane, Jordan (Jessica) Isaacson, Luke Isaacson, Madelyn Isaacson, Karina Patras, Mariana Patras and Great Grandmother of Emmy McBrien. Dear Aunt to Stacy (Jim) McGrath, George (Lynn) Kawkes and Mark (Lorena) Vacel. Dear Cousin to Judy (Ron) Nowak

Sharon was the only child born to her loving parents Victoria and Orville Smith on October 28, 1945. Sharon grew up in the Roseland Neighborhood of Chicago where she attended Fenger High School. It was there that she met her High School Sweetheart, future husband, best friend and love of her life Lewis Patras. It was love at first sight and they married in Chicago on October 24, 1965. Sharon married into Lewis' large family where she instantly had a place. Family and making everyone around her feel warm was everything to Sharon. After graduating from High School, Sharon was the Administrative Assistant to the President of Marsh and McCllellan Insurance company from 1965 to1967. Sharon and Lewis welcomed their first born Lisa in 1967. They were then blessed with two more children Michelle in 1970 and Nick in 1977. Sharon returned to work after being a stay at home mom in 1981. She started her career at Ingalls Hospital in Harvey where she worked in Lab Administration and Employee Health Services until she retired in 1992. Sharon had a passion for the medical field and thrived working at Ingalls making many friends throughout the years. After retirement from the medical field Sharon started her own floral service where she made floral arrangements for every occasion. She attended craft fairs and sold her floral arrangements out of her home. Everything she did was one of a kind. She was so talented and passionate about creating things from scratch and her creative imagination turned into the most beautiful arrangements.

With Sharon's passion for creating she was dubbed the "Queen of Decorating". She loved every holiday but loved Christmas just a little bit more than the rest- so much so that the Christmas tree was usually up before Thanksgiving. Her grandchildren Jordan, Luke, Maddie, Katie, Danny, John, Ellie, Karina and Mariana always had their own North Pole at Grandma's at Christmas time.  It was nothing short of magical. What made Sharon the happiest was seeing the look in their eyes at Christmas time. Her favorite movie was It's a Wonderful Life and it played constantly during the Christmas Holiday Season with echoes of Willy Winter the Dancing Snowman in the back. Each holiday and family gathering was the best excuse to bring out her Bingo game which was one of her favorite pastimes around the Dining Room table with the entire family.

Sharon loved the sun and the beach which you could tell all of the photos around their home in Tinley Park which is where her and Lewis made their home for 47 years. Ft. Myers Beach in Florida was where her parents retired to in 1974. Family vacations were spent there every Summer. It was her favorite place to visit and spend her days along with Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

What we will remember Sharon for the most was the way she made everyone feel loved. She was warm, kind and inviting to everyone she met. Sharon will be missed more than words can say.  To know her was to love her. She left us with traditions, memories, a stronger sense of family and so much love to carry us through. May she Rest in Eternal Peace.

Visitation Wednesday, June 12, 2024 from 3:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Becvar & Son Funeral Home, 5539 W. 127th Street, Crestwood.   Funeral service Thursday 10:30 A.M.  Interment Chapel Hill Garden South Cemetery.   For more information:  (708) 824-9000 or www.becvarfuneralhome.com