Obituary of Sharon Layne Langley

Sharon Pennell Langley, 78, died peacefully with her husband at her side June 13, 2021, at a local healthcare facility after a brief illness.  Sharon was born November 10, 1942, in Machias, the daughter of Kenneth and Priscilla “Pete” (Small) Pennell.

Sharon graduated from Machias High School and then spent many happy years raising her children as a full time mom. Once her children were old enough she re-entered the workforce at HoltraChem and then later retired from the Hermon School Department Lunch Program.

After retirement she kept very busy running the family strawberry and vegetable farm with her husband. She loved harvest season as it allowed her to spend time “visiting” with her customers, many of whom were loyal regulars who appreciated her friendliness, her humor and her hardworking spirit.  But what she truly loved most was being by her husband’s side; whether it was working together in the fields, going for road trips or manning the road-side vegetable stand they built together. 

She also greatly enjoyed following the University of Maine Women’s Basketball team starting in the era of Cindy Blodgett.  She and Michael had season tickets and they would drive up and down the East Coast attending Maine Black Bears Women’s basketball games wherever they were playing.

Later in her journey when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she researched information from the Maine Alzheimer’s Association and participated in clinical research trials to help find a treatment for this dreadful disease.  Sharon worked hard to keep her memory strong as long as she could, she would walk daily, ate healthy and she kept vigilant notes and cue cards in the house.  Sharon was very open about her diagnosis and would share with others what it was like having this disease. Sharon did interviews with local news media to raise awareness of the disease and also participated in local support group gatherings.  Her honesty was important for so many that she met who were also struggling with the effects of this disease either personally or within their family.   Thankfully the one thing that Alzheimer’s was never able to take from her was the spark of love in her eyes when she saw her husband and children.

In addition to her parents, Sharon was predeceased by her grandson Alan Langley and her niece Staci Small.  Sharon is survived by her loving husband Michael Langley; daughter Susan and husband Mark Farley, and their children Alayna Morang and Steven Farley; son Alan Gillis and wife Judy, and their children Kristin Wallace, Courtney Hyde, Alan “AJ” Gillis, Jr., and Isabella Gillis; daughter Melissa and her husband Ray Bessette, and her children Cameron Coutts and Mackenzie Ireland; great grandchildren Emmaline, Luke, Carter, Sophia, Claire, Max, Owen, Joey, Gracie and Mila;  brother Duane Small; favorite aunts Sherrill Guptill and “Ginny” Foss; special cousins Mary and Beth.  She is also survived by her stepchildren Laura Langley Guzman, Bart Langley and Amy Langley.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association of Maine, 383 US Route One #2C, Scarborough, ME 04074. A special thank you to the staff at Westgate Center for their loving care.

A Celebration of Life, with light refreshments, will be held 3-6 PM, Thursday July 22, 2021, at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer. Arrangements by Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, Bangor and Brewer.  Messages and memories may be shared with the family at kileyandfoley.com