November 18, 1945 – August 18, 2018

Sharon Lee Penn, 72, of Forks passed away on Aug. 18 after a long battle with cancer.

Sharon was born in Dayton, Ohio to Jack and Audrey Knuge on November 18, 1945. She spent most of her early adult life in Northern Alberta and moved to Brightwood, Oregon at the base of Mt. Hood in the late 1980s where she met her husband of 29 years Vince Penn.

In 1994 they moved their family to Forks, where they made a loving home on the Quillayute Prairie with open doors to friends, family and animals of all kinds. Sharon worked as a veterinary technician in her early working career; then as TANF Case Manager and Youth Advocate for the Quileute Tribe for over 20 years until her retirement. Sharon also put in countless volunteer hours in working with the tribal youth and Quileute community.

She was one of the founding committee members for the Annual Cherish Our Children event. Sharon also served on the board for Quillayute Valley School District and Forks Abuse Center. She was named Citizen of the Year by Forks Elks Club for all of her hard work and dedication to the community.

Sharon’s love for working with children and animals shined through in her daily life. She loved to share the culture and traditions of the Quileute Tribe with everyone. Sharon was instrumental in putting together a Cultural Exchange visit by 10 students from China last month. They attended and participated in the Quileute Days festivities along with some of the local youth.

Even with her health failing she gave 110% to assure the kids had an experience of a lifetime. Sharon is survived by her husband Vince Penn; son Ty (Melanie) Koskela, daughters Twyla Schmitt and Tarja Koskela; grandchildren Angelica, Erika, Alexis, Jaxon, Skyler and Jared. She is preceded in death by her parents Jack and Audrey Knuge.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 1, at 10 a.m. at the Quileute A-Ka-lat Center in La Push, Washington.