Sharyn Higham Larsen

Sharyn Higham Larsen

Sharyn Larsen was born on April 6, 1934, in Salt Lake City, Utah, almost literally with a book in her hand. That book was still in her hand at the time of her death on October 10, 2026.

Sharyn spent the first years of her life in Salt Lake City. In 1945, Sharyn’s father and mother, Francis Cope Higham and Violet Farr Higham, moved their family to northern California, where Frank supported war and post-war efforts by working for the railroad. Sharyn would reside in Northern California for most of the rest of her life.

After graduating from Oakland Tech High School, Sharyn attended one year at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. There she met the love of her life, Robert Gordon (Bob) Larsen, and the two were married for time and eternity on December 18, 1953, in the Salt Lake City temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Sharyn left her studies shortly after the marriage to care for her first child, Robert Gordon, and the four who followed in rapid succession: Kelly Ann McKissick (Gerry McKissick), Holly Larsen (Allan Chen), Jonathan Stewart Larsen (Dorey Larsen), and Kristine Karin Marin Martha Jane Jennifer Lamay (Jeff Lamay). She instilled a love of reading in her children by reading to them daily, even if it meant reading the same story over and over. When Kristine was ready for pre-school, Sharyn entered Diablo Valley College as the world’s oldest college sophomore and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from California State University, East Bay.

Sharyn then launched her 19-year career with the Mount Diablo School District. While at the district, she shared her passion for reading, first as a classroom teacher and then a reading specialist after obtaining her masters and credentials in reading and school administration from Cal State East Bay. Throughout these years, Sharyn helped hundreds of young folks discover the delights of wonderful authors, such as E. B. White, E. L. Konigsburg, and Patricia Polaco.

She expanded her reach by joining with sister-in-law Linda T. Higham to open ‘The Storyteller,’ a store in Lafayette, California, that specialized in children’s books. Sharyn also taught English and reading classes during and after serving with Bob on two missions for the LDS church, one in Russia and one in at Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

Sharyn was more than just a reader and reader teacher. She was a faithful member of her church, serving in many capacities, but most notably by teaching in the Young Women’s program, Sunday School, and Relief Society. She was a baker, renowned for her Thanksgiving yeast rolls and next day cinnamon rolls. She and Bob enjoyed dining out, especially with lifelong friends, Myrth and Claude Van Vliet. Sharyn and Bob also traveled together extensively throughout the United States and Europe. And Sharyn was a mother,

grandmother, and great-grandmother. All of her 13 grandchildren can tell tales of going to birthday lunch and shopping with Bob and Sharyn, and her 27 great-grandchildren adored their GG.

And now it can be told: no birth certificate with the name of Sharyn Higham exists in Salt Lake City or anywhere else. Sharyn took teenage rebellion to the limit by changing the spelling of her name from Sharon to Sharyn. Despite never formally seeking a name change, Sharyn thereafter signed everything—checks, deeds, trusts and tax documents—as “Sharyn.” Little did she know that she started a trend, as granddaughter after granddaughter has a “yn’ ending in either their first or middle names in tribute to their grandmother. But that was Sharyn—always ahead of the pack.

Sharyn was preceded in death by Bob, her parents, and two siblings, Frank and Linda. She is survived by three other siblings, Merrill, Leslie, and Doug, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and hundreds if not thousands of readers she helped along the path to literacy. Please read a book in her honor!

The memorial service for Sharyn will take place on November 5, 2026, at 11am at the LDS Moraga Ward Chapel, 3776, Via Granada, Moraga 94556. All are invited to a buffet lunch at the chapel immediately following the service.