Sharon M Stefano

Sharon Mae Stefano, 84, of Highland, Indiana, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on May 2, 2026. She was born October 13, 1941, to the late Peter and Margaret Stefano (née Rachko). Sharon was raised in Hammond, Indiana, where much of her close family lived. She was the namesake of her family’s five-and-dime store in Hessville: “Sharon Mae’s Variety Store and Gifts.”

Sharon graduated from Oliver P. Morton High School, where she was a strong student. She worked briefly as a keypunch operator in Chicago before attending Ball State University to become an elementary school teacher. Having lost her mother at age 11, Sharon attended college with the support of her beloved aunts, Mary and Helen, who loved and supported her throughout her life. Sharon often noted that, when she graduated high school, her options were limited to teaching or nursing. She was quick to point out that, when she enrolled, Ball State was solely a teachers’ college, and she enjoyed seeing the greater opportunities afforded to women during her lifetime.

At Ball State, Sharon was active in campus life, serving as treasurer of her residence hall, Klipple Hall, and as a member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. She had many suitors and was engaged several times before working as a first-grade teacher in East Chicago and attending the University of Michigan for her master’s degree in counseling.

Perhaps because Sharon lost her mother while in middle school, she felt drawn to counseling and cared deeply for children, especially those facing challenges. The “ornery” kids were her favorites, and she especially loved students with a mischievous streak.

Sharon spent most of her counseling career at Wilbur Wright Middle School in Munster, Indiana. There, she ran a study-skills course, taught summer school, advised the student council, and even worked concessions at sporting events. She participated in Red Ribbon events to help prevent drug use among children and supported many students through turbulent middle school years. In 1994, the Indiana Middle Level Education Association recognized her as Region One Counselor of the Year.

Sharon made lifelong friends at Wilbur Wright and was known for her humor, including memorable retirement skits. During spring and summer breaks, she and her fellow educator friends traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad, including Iceland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Greece, and Italy.

Sharon retired in 2003 and continued to travel, visiting Egypt, China, Europe, Central America, and South America. Her traveling companions included her cousin Marcia and Marcia’s son Matthew, her son Aaron, and her close friends. She enjoyed collecting magnets, Christmas ornaments, and other souvenirs from her many travels.

A lover of Halloween, Sharon hosted an annual Halloween-themed canasta party for her canasta group, as well as a Halloween-themed cousins’ luncheon. Her decorations were legendary, and she had a special fondness for witches. She dressed as a witch several times for her grandchildren’s school Halloween events, and her 70th birthday party was Halloween-themed.

Sharon is survived by her loving children, Aaron Kielbasa and Stacey Kielbasa (Daniel Evans). She is also lovingly remembered by her sisters-in-law, Angela Flesher and Sharon Kielbasa; cousin Marcia Burr; niece Beth (Robert) Byrd and Kara Orosz (Jason); nephews Matthew Burr, Mark (Kim) Kielbasa, and Sean Flesher (Jesi Soper); and her granddaughters Olivia, Victoria, and Hayden Evans. She will be deeply missed by Alex (Arriana) Burr, Cameron (Sadie), Nathan, and Hayden Orosz, and the Sunny Family.

Family and friends are invited to gather at Hillside Funeral Home 8941 Kleinman Road Highland, Indiana, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 11, 2026. A brief service will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by a luncheon/celebration of life. A burial/committal service will be held at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Gary, Indiana, at 1:45 p.m.

Flowers are welcome; donations may also be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

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