Sharon Lee (Hayes) Levinson
Sharon Lee (Hayes) Levinson, 86, of Murrieta, California, passed away at home on May 22, 2025, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Sharon was born at home in North Platte, Nebraska, on September 24, 1938, and was baptized at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. She was the eldest of six children born to Mary Jane (Jeffers) Hayes and Allan “Bud” Hayes, Jr. Sharon grew up alongside her siblings—brothers Pat, Chris, and Jim, and sisters Kathy and Theresa in a close-knit community where family ties ran deep. North Platte, a bustling railroad town known for housing the largest rail hump and classification yard in the nation, shaped much of Sharon’s early life. The Union Pacific Railroad was central to her family’s livelihood, employing her father, two of her brothers, and many members of her extended family.
Sharon enjoyed a carefree childhood in North Platte, surrounded by a large extended family. With her mother, one of twelve, and her father one of seven, she was enveloped by a rich community of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her world changed dramatically at age 15 when her father passed away from cancer at just 35 years old. As the oldest, Sharon stepped up to help raise her younger siblings, including newborn sister Theresa. Her natural sense of responsibility, love, and strength became a hallmark of who she was, always nurturing others and putting herself last. Caring for others became her life’s guiding principle.
After graduating from North Platte High School, Sharon moved to Glendale, California, to live with her Aunt Alice and Uncle Homer, which allowed her to begin a new chapter. Soon after, she began working for Pacific Telephone & Telegraph—an experience she would look back on with great pride. Sharon quickly rose through the ranks, earning a promotion to supervisor at a notably young age. In fact, most of the employees she managed were older than she was, a testament to her strong work ethic, leadership skills, and maturity well beyond her years. Her dedication and professionalism did not go unnoticed. Out of all the employees in her company, Sharon was selected to represent the organization during the presidential campaign of John F. Kennedy. It was a tremendous honor and a proud moment in her life.
While living in Glendale, Sharon eventually moved into the YWCA, where she forged lifelong friendships, including with her dear friend Lois. She often reminisced about that time, saying, “Living with 26 girls—it was like a college dorm. We had a blast.” It was at a YWCA dance that she met her future husband, Lawrence “Larry” Levinson. The two married on Valentine’s Day, 1961, and shared 60 wonderful years together before Larry’s passing in April 2021.
In 1963, Sharon and Larry moved to Santa Barbara, where they raised their two children, Traci Lynn (born 1964) and Randy Allan (born 1966). Sharon was the driving force behind the move, adamant about raising her children in a safer, smaller town rather than the greater Los Angeles area. She often said, “If my teenager didn’t come home at night, where would I start looking in such a big city?” In 1968, Sharon and Larry founded Lawrence Interiors, a custom window coverings and flooring business that they ran together. A devoted mother and homemaker, Sharon remained at home until Traci and Randy reached high school. Her home was always warm and welcoming, with breakfast in the morning and a hot meal every night. When it was time for dinner, she’d ring a large ship’s bell that could be heard blocks away. Santa Barbara was a cherished place full of fond memories and lasting friendships. In 1996, Sharon and Larry relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona, and six years later, they made their final move to Murrieta, California, to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Throughout her life, Sharon had a gift for making everyone feel welcome. She was engaging, generous, and had a heart for service. Traci and Randy often heard, “we love your mom, she is the best.” Sharon was also a passionate DIYer—especially when it came to painting, and she loved reading, gardening, and genealogy. She poured decades into researching her family’s lineage, tracing their roots back to the 1630s, with ancestors who landed in Plymouth shortly after the Mayflower. Her relatives fought in the Revolutionary War and even signed the Declaration of Independence. Sharon was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, was a true patriot, and had a deep love of her country.
She is survived by her children, Traci Luke of Murrieta and Randy Levinson (Mary) of La Jolla, CA and her four beloved grandsons: Jared Luke, Nolan, Luke, and Colin Levinson. She is also survived by her siblings Chris, Jim, Kathy, and Theresa.
Sharon was laid to rest in a private family service in Murrieta on June 10, 2025.
A remarkable mother, wife, sister, and friend, she was adored by both her children and grandsons and always showed unconditional love for her family. Sharon was truly one of a kind. Rest in peace, Sharon. You are deeply loved and will be sorely missed.
