Sharon Harris

Sharon (Pickett) Harris passed away in Anaconda, Montana, on December 29, 2025, surrounded by family. Sharon was born in Anaconda on February 1, 1944, to Robert and Helen Pickett. She married Gene Harris in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on April 29, 1963. Together they became parents to three children: Gary, Julie, and Cory.

Sharon was proud to be from Anaconda and spent nearly her entire life there, aside from two years when she and Gene lived in Missoula. After losing Cory at just six years old, Sharon carried that heartbreak with remarkable strength. She transformed her grief into purpose, helping to create a support group for families who had endured similar losses and opening her home to foster children alongside Gene.

Sharon was known as the Snow Cone Lady around Anaconda, as she operated a mobile snow cone cart that catered to the residents of Anaconda on hot summer days and around the softball and baseball fields during the evenings. She also worked for the Anaconda Public Schools, where she helped in the lunchroom and as a playground aide.

Family was the center of Sharon’s world. She cherished every moment spent with those she loved, and nothing brought her more joy than bragging about her children, grandchildren, and great‑grandchildren.

Sharon is preceded in death by her son Cory, infant grandson Ryan Cook, her parents, four sisters, and two brothers, along with her many in‑laws from the Harris side of the family. She is survived by her husband, Gene, at the family home; her son Gary; daughter Julie (Terry) Jennings; and foster daughter Amanda (Corey) Snowden; grandchildren Corey Cook, Jordan Cook (Justin Bristol), Derek (Britnie) Cook, Kaedon (Tara) Cook, Christina (Ted) Berg, August Snowden, and Autumn Snowden; as well as fifteen great‑grandchildren.

Sharon never whispered an opinion in her life. If she thought it, you heard it—usually twice… and that bold, unapologetic spirit now lives on in the stories we’ll hold close, retell, and smile about for years to come.

If you choose to remember Sharon, donations in her name can be made to the Project Care Food Pantry in Anaconda (PO Box 1280, Anaconda, MT 59711), or simply show kindness to a child or an animal—a reflection of Sharon’s own passion for making sure every one of them felt cared for and had the best opportunities possible.

The family would like to thank the Community Nursing Home of Anaconda for their dedicated care of Sharon, Community Hospital of Anaconda for their years of caring for Sharon through her setbacks, and Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home for their attention to the family after Sharon’s passing.

A memorial will be held in the spring in Anaconda.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home and Crematory have been privileged to care for Sharon and her family.