Sharon Sadler

Sharon Mansur Sadler, 81, most recently of Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 19, 2026.

Born on February 8, 1945, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, as the eldest of four children, Sharon grew up to become a woman of remarkable warmth, curiosity, and love — someone who had a gift for making people feel at home wherever she went. It was at Classical High School in Springfield that Sharon met the great love of her life, Robert (Bob) Sadler Jr. What began as a high school romance became one of those rare, enduring love stories — the two were devoted partners for 62 years, traveling the world, building a life together, and rarely straying far from each other's side. Sharon earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts in 1966, and she married Bob soon after. They began their life together in the Hartford, Connecticut area, where Sharon taught fourth grade. She and Bob were anti-racism activists during the civil rights era, with a particular focus on fair housing practices in Hartford, where their children were born. After moving to Middletown, Connecticut, Sharon earned a bachelor’s degree in horticulture from the University of Connecticut and founded Sharon Sadler Interiorscapes, a thriving business that brought large-scale plant installations into commercial spaces. Her abiding love for plants and flowers was a thread woven through her entire life. Before moving from Middletown, Sharon also worked in the Alumni Office at Wesleyan University. In the years that followed, Sharon and Bob embarked on one of the great adventures of their marriage — three years living in London, where Sharon took French lessons, volunteered at Kew Gardens, and the two explored Europe widely, from Paris to the far corners of the continent. It was a chapter that deepened her love of the world and her sense of adventure. They next enjoyed life in sunny San Carlos, California, where Sharon taught adult ESL classes in nearby Palo Alto. The couple eventually settled in Pacific Grove, where they spent many years taking long walks and never tiring of the ocean views. Sharon volunteered generously at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula. A watercolor enthusiast and tireless explorer, she and Bob continued to travel — back to Europe, to Australia, Hawaii, and beyond. In her final year of life, Sharon made her home in Chicago with her daughter’s family, where she found her way into yet another community and made it her own. She joined the Unitarian Church of Evanston and became involved there. Wherever she landed, Sharon had a way of drawing people in — strangers became friends, and friends became family.

She was quick to laugh, and her humor was part of what made her presence so easy to love. Beloved wife to the late Bob Sadler Jr., loving mother of Jordan Sadler (Robert Margolis) and Joshua Sadler (Erica Johnson). Cherished grandmother of Ava Sadler-Gordon and Lyle Gordon, and step-grandmother of Samuel and Joseph Margolis. Devoted eldest sister of Joyce Duxbury (Edward Bright), Jon Mansur (Patricia Hanrihan), and Roy Mansur Jr. (Robin Demetrius).

Preceded in death by her parents, Doris and Roy Mansur.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Unitarian Universalist Association or the Trevor Project, two causes that reflected Sharon’s lifelong values. Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 17 at 1pm at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Evanston, 1330 Ridge Ave, Evanston, IL 60201. Livestream link here https://youtube.com/live/CZqoKPXa8j4?. Arrangements by Inclusive Funeral Care, 773-318-1305 or www.InclusiveFuneralCare.com.