Sharon Campodonico

January 2, 1940 - November 21, 2023

Sharon Ann Smith was born on January 2, 1940. She was the first baby born in the 1940s in Oxnard, Calif. — something she jokingly referred to as her claim to fame. Sharon had a certain warmth and sparkle — a natural joie de vivre. She cherished her Irish heritage and enjoyed spending time with her lively, extended family. She will be remembered for living a life filled with faith and laughter, memorable family moments, and a deep commitment to volunteerism.

When she was a child, Sharon’s family moved to Burlingame. She attended Our Lady of Angels School, Mercy High School (Burlingame), and Dominican College (San Rafael). An avid athlete and comedic entertainer, “Smitty” was known in college as “a bringer of mirth and song. Any group she joins inevitably winds up singing or laughing or both

. . .” (per her 1961 college yearbook).

Sharon was used to large family gatherings. Her great-grandfather and great-grandmother, Dominick McGrath and Bridget Donlon had 13 children; 50 grandchildren; and more than 150 greatgrandchildren. Most of the family lived in the Oxnard/ Ventura area. Sharon always looked forward to attending spirited McGrath family reunions and picnics.

In 1962, Sharon married James Ross Campodonico. They moved to the Peninsula and made their home in Hillsborough. Their four children attended St. Matthew’s Catholic School, Junípero Serra High School, and Notre Dame High School, Belmont. Sharon coached numerous sports teams at St. Matthew’s— softball, volleyball and track — and she even became the school’s director of athletics. When she was not on the field or in the gym, Sharon was a dedicated mom who enjoyed carpooling her children and their friends to sports practices, swim meets, dance lessons, and rehearsals for plays and musicals. She also was very active in the Junior League of San Francisco.

Life threw Sharon a few curveballs, but she hit them out of the ballpark with elegance and grace. Although Sharon and Jim divorced, they shared many memorable moments and remained lifelong friends.

During the 1980s, Sharon shifted her volunteer efforts from school athletics to Mills Peninsula Hospital. There, she found fulfillment in offering emotional support to patients dealing with terminal illnesses and health issues. She formed a strong companionship with Edgar F. Drucker, M.D., which lasted until his death in 2020.

During this time, Sharon also enjoyed playing coed softball, and she was one of the oldest players in the league. Her children loved watching their mom repeatedly hit the ball over the heads of outfielders who underestimated her abilities. In addition to Sharon’s volunteer work and sports activities, she enjoyed getting to know her children’s friends. She kept in touch with them as they grew older, and she was known to many as the “hostess with the mostest.” Sharon opened her home to friends from all generations and often welcomed them by saying, “mi casa es su casa.”

Sharon developed a deep and everlasting commitment to St. Catherine’s Catholic Church. She was a daily churchgoer who served as a lector and Eucharistic minister. Sharon maintained her strong faith and formed many close friendships. She often delivered Holy Communion to parishioners who were unwell. During these visits, she formed lasting personal connections because of her kindness and compassion.

Sharon is survived by her former husband, James Ross Campodonico; her children, Jeffrey Rudolph Campodonico (Hilary Campodonico), Mary Elizabeth Campodonico Kelly (Tom Kelly), James Dominic Campodonico (Matthew Stitham) and Peter Sharpless Campodonico; and her grandchildren, Austin James Campodonico, William Jeffrey Campodonico, James Thomas Kelly and John Patrick Kelly. She is also survived by her brother, Charles Sharpless Smith III, and her sister, Margaret (“Buzzy”) Josephine Lapham.

Sharon had a nickname for all of those relatives, as well as her extended relatives and friends. There also were several nicknames for Sharon — Smitty, Yamma, Gamma Sharon, Mrs. C., Sh’rohn, Blaron, Mrs. Camp, Miss Sharon, Sharonski, Burlingame Barbara, Fave, and Mom. She loved her family, the beach and giving toasts. Sharing laughs, making people laugh and entertaining were part of Sharon’s DNA — people often compared her to Carol Burnett. Sharon’s children and grandchildren believe that the love and laughter she shared here on earth will now be shared in Heaven.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 20 at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Burlingame, followed by a reception that will honor Sharon’s extraordinary life. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Dominican University of California (dominican.edu/ makeagift) in memory of Sharon.