From Beverly Diehl, former AWG President:

Sharon reminded me of Melanie Wilkes - without the Southern accent, of course. Genuinely kind, soft-spoken, unassuming, she always found something good and encouraging to say about my (and so many others') writing, without crossing the line and becoming a flattery factory. I always enjoyed her company, and only wish I'd gotten to read more of her writing, back in the day. I was so sad to hear she had died, and hope in the next go 'round - if there is such a beastie as reincarnation - that she sticks around a lot longer.