Sharon Gail Sternberger

Sharon Gail Sternberger (nee Perelman)

24 August 1938- 20 February 2026

Daughter of Leonard and Lillian (nee Eilberg) Perelman, Sharon grew up in Cleveland Heights and University Heights, Ohio, where she enjoyed spending time with her close-knit family, including her brother, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She cherished memories of spending time with them on the family farm near the North Chagrin Reservation where she became an accomplished horseback rider.

Sharon was known among her friends as someone who “had it all.” She was a talented student who served as Vice President of the National Honor Society and who exceled in science, language, art, literature, and dance. Sharon attended college at the University of Michigan and Case Western Reserve University where she received her BA in Romance Languages and Education. She married Samuel Michael (Mike) Sternberger, and, shortly after the birth of their daughter Laura, they moved to Shaker Heights, Ohio. Sharon quickly became an active member of the Shaker community–she helped found the first recycling program in the region and was instrumental in numerous social justice initiatives.

While living in Shaker, Sharon began to search for a religious community that reflected her personal and spiritual values. She found that home at the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland. She quickly made life-long friendships through her involvement in initiatives at the church such as the liturgical dance troupe, the covenant group, and the couples’ group. She eventually moved on to play a long-standing leadership role in the church, serving as the Director of Religious Education and Programs and as the Chair of the Social Justice Ministries. Beyond the church, Sharon dedicated herself to leadership in other social justice causes, serving as Board Chair of the Global Issues Resource Center.

Ever curious and attentive, Sharon was as enthralled by natural landscapes as by social landscapes, finding spirituality in the forest and affirmations of life on every city street. Sharon was a true aesthete who discovered beauty everywhere–in nature, art, food, dance, skating, clothing, and architecture. She was an avid gardener and could often be found meticulously tending to her plants in her garden or in her home. She was a lover of animals of all sorts, excitedly welcoming almost any pet to her home, including multiple cats, dogs (and their pups), turtles, gerbils, fish, and snakes. She considered herself a student of the universe–she genuinely felt every being and experience had something to teach her.

And at every chance possible, Sharon immersed herself in being an inspirational grandmother, delighting in creative play, adventurous vacations, exploration, and mischief. Moving from Shaker later in life, Sharon became a long-time resident of Judson Manor, where she reveled in the vibrancy of the community, and the cultural atmosphere of University Circle. Near the end of her life, she was truly blessed to live in a facility with such dedicated and compassionate staff who ensured that her final years were filled with dignity, comfort and connection.

Sharon is survived by brother Robert and his wife Vicki, daughter Laura, son Paul and his wife Joan, granddaughter Hannah and her husband Glauber, granddaughter Grace, and granddaughter Stella. A celebration of her life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, to honor Sharon’s commitment to the environment and social justice, please donate to the charity of your choice.