2016 February PASO Magazine

By Millie Drum
Sharon Nealon Ross was born in Dunsmuir,
California. Through the years, she lived
in many places, worked for various companies.
Once she married Stu Ross in 1991
and moved to Paso, a life of volunteering for
her community began. Sharon and Wanda
Mumford became close
friends in the early days of
Sharon’s service to the Paso
Robles Chamber of Commerce.
Wanda recalls, “I
have many years of wonderful
Sharon stories. The one
thing that always amazed
me is how Sharon became
a Paso person from day one.
Sometimes when we’d talk,
she’d remind me that she
wasn’t born here. But Sharon
is Paso with her heart
and soul. She is old Paso
and new Paso embracing
us as if she’d lived here her
whole life.”
Sharon recently retired
after 37 years in the finance
and mortgage industry; locally
with United Savings
Bank, Washington Mutual
and Central Coast Mortgage Consultants.
While working for United Savings Bank in
the early 90’s, Sharon attended Chamber
mixers. She met Leora Eide, who quickly got
Sharon involved in the Mixer Committee.
Sharon recalls, “Back then, the faxes came to
me and I organized the whole thing. Manford
Vanderlip and I would go to the mixer locations
to make sure things would go smoothly.
Manford was instrumental in helping me
become a public speaker. Thanks to Manny,
I’m not afraid to get up and speak in front of
people. Those days were a lot of fun!” As chairperson
of the Recognition Committee, she
coordinates the candidates for Roblan of the
Month and Year, Beautification of the Month
and Year, and now also Business of the Month.
Sharon’s more formal responsibilities with
the Paso Chamber of Commerce began in
1994; serving on the Board of Directors from
2000 to 2003 and 2009 to 2012. Sharon was
on the first committee for the Business Expo;
an event based on giving small businesses and
companies without a storefront an opportunity
to reach Chamber members and the community.
Fond memories remain from Sharon’s
role as Chairperson for the Annual Dinner for
10 years. She adds, “With Wanda on the committee
and her talents and creative flair for
12
Stu and Sharon
At ease with the microphone!
“Thanks, Manny!”
decorating, we had so much fun! Judie Holsted
was also so helpful.” Planning big gala
fundraising events was perfect for Sharon!
She helped with fundraising for the new city
library through Mid-Summer Magic for over
5 years with Barbara Partridge, Leora Eide,
Angela Mitchell, Mary Barth and Wanda
Mumford and others. Angela
adds, “It’s been a pleasure
to work with Sharon for
over 22 years. She’s a stellar
choice for Roblan of the
Year! She’s always willing
to pitch in and help with a
smile and positive attitude!”
In 1998, she joined Paso
Robles Sunrise Rotary. Staying
active through the years
and serving as President
from 2004 to 2005. She’s
volunteered for the popular
Crab Feed for 15 years as
“head chef ” even after transferring
to noontime Rotary
Club in 2007. “They want
me back again this year! I
just love it. The sauce for the
crab feed is from my grandmother
Maria. I called her
Nonna. She used to feed the
high school football team. Her recipe feeds
125, so I just double it!”
Sharon’s role with Paso
Robles Rotary Club includes
a member of the
annual golf tournament,
the “4 way Essay Contest,”
Rotary’s 90th birthday celebration,
Health Day and
a bell ringer for the Salvation
Army. The most prestigious
honors include being
named a “Paul Harris Fellow”
three times and Rotarian
of the Year in 2014.
Among Sharon’s proudest
achievements is working
with her committee on
the Winemakers Cookoff;
raising over $300,000
during her 6 years as Chairman.
Those funds benefit
the Harlow Ford Foundation
that provides scholarships
for PRHS seniors.
Sharon was a member
of the Exchange Club and
President from 1996 to 1997 and associated
with Golf for a Cure, Mission San Miguel
The 90s - Wanda and Sharon
as Roblan of the Month
Winemaker’s Cook-off Honors
for Eberle Winery!
Golf Tourney, St. Rose BBQ, a judge for
the Main Street Christmas Light Parade
for 7 years, the Wine Festival for 10 years, a
few Harvest Festivals and many “Afternoons
at the Ranch” for Hospice SLO. Sharon
was an active Affiliate member of the Paso
Robles Association of Realtors; awarded with
Affiliate of the Year in 2004 and 2008.
Sharon’s first Pioneer Day meeting in 1991
is one to remember. She recalls, “Stu said,
‘Come on! We’re going to a Pioneer Day
committee meeting.’ I said OK. So everyone
stood up to say what their job was. I stood up
and said, ‘I’m Sharon Ross and my job is to be
Stu’s wife.’ The committee was elated saying,
“We’ve got the perfect job for you! You’re in
charge of badges!” She handled the Smooth
Puss badges for over 5 years, served on the
Board of Directors for four years in the mid-
90s. She still volunteers on the Pioneer Day
parade route monitoring “crowd control” so...
as she says, “obnoxious people don’t run out
in front of the floats” while being close to
Kathleen Reneau who is a parade announcer
near the Bank of America!
After being at the helm
for so many years for so
many organizations, Sharon
is enjoying retirement while
staying involved in these organizations.
She adds, “I’ve
found that over the years of
working on the same event,
new ideas, new thoughts
and people are needed. Our
chamber is doing a great job
in becoming relevant to the
times. I’m glad that we have
quality growth, especially in
the hospitality industry and
the influx of new young executives
and business people.
“I like to help people, stay
active, and meet people.
I can’t sit still. But I have
learned a little bit in retirement…to
sit still…but not
really. I like to see and do
things that make people
happy and the things I get
involved with make people
Please see ROBLAN page 13
Paso Robles Magazine, February 2016