Sharon Rushing

Sharon Rushing, 77, passed away Friday, May 2, 2025, at Madigan Army Medical Center, Ft. Lewis, Washington.

 Born October 2, 1947, in Alameda, California, to Ralph and Helen (Vogler) Figg, Sharon had lived in Lacey, Washington, for 24 years following her retirement after 24 years of service in the United States Navy Nurse Corps.

 Sharon graduated from Burns High School, Burns, Oregon, in 1965, attended Marylhurst University, Oregon State University and received her B.S. in Nursing in 1969 from the University of Oregon, and her M.S. in Nursing in 1992 at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Before entering the U.S. Navy in March 1977, Sharon worked at St. Vincent Hospital in Portland, Oregon, University of San Francisco Hospital, and St. Mary’s Hospital in Reno, Nevada where she was the nursing consultant for a new ICU design. Her military service included tours in US Naval Hospitals: San Diego, Okinawa, Oakland, Camp Pendleton (CA), Portsmouth (VA), Al Jubail (Saudi Arabia), Yokosuka (Japan) and Lemoore (CA).

 Sharon married Michael Rushing on November 14, 1987, in San Diego, California. They both were fortunate to be stationed together until his retirement, at which point they had an enjoyable tour in Japan. After Sharon’s retirement, she and Mike continued to travel the world, now as tourists, bringing along children and grandchildren whenever possible. They shared a love of volunteering, gardening, cooking, and entertaining. She was involved in numerous ministries at St. Michael’s Catholic Church where she and Mike established the Newcomers Welcome team. They were strong supporters of Pope John Paul II High school. She also volunteered with the USO, Red Cross, YWCA, and Olympia Harbor Patrol. When she had “free time,” Sharon knitted and stitched beautiful items, which she gifted to family, friends and Pregnancy Aid.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, J. Michael Rushing of Lacey, Washington; brother, Mike Figg of La Grande, Oregon; daughters (by marriage, love, and experience) Kathy Rushing of Auburn, Alabama, Julie (Tony) Gamboa of Falls Church, Virginia, Lynn (Dennis) Coleman of Hampton, Virginia, and Susan McKaig of Brooklyn, New York; grandchildren Tori Rushing of Chesapeake, Virginia, Jessica (Josh Ross) Rushing of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Cat Gamboa of Alexandria, Virginia, Grace Gamboa of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Anna Gamboa of Reston, Virginia, Alex Gamboa of Falls Church, Virginia, Jack Arnold and Will Arnold of Auburn, Alabama; greatgrandchildren: Drake, Sandra, Corbin, Aria, Stella, Kason, and Reece; nephews Chris Figg of La Grande, Oregon, Evan (Katie) Figg of Las Vegas, Nevada; and great nieces and nephew Avery, Kelsey, and Jacob Figg.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church at noon on Friday, May 30, 2025, with inurnment to follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Tumwater, Washington. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Pope John Paul II High School in Lacey, Washington, or Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle.