Community leader Sharon Ruffner (with flowers) was named 2022 Volunteer of the Year by Carmichael Chamber of Commerce. She is pictured with fellow Kiwanis Club members at Arden Hills Resort.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Sharon Ruffner died on January 7 after a year-long illness.

Defined by a huge smile and in-your-face enthusiasm, Ruffner was a civic dynamo. She championed tree-planting, coached yoga, campaigned for the environment and rattled cages through any number of organizations.

She died peacefully in in-home hospice care, weeks from her 64th birthday. She was surrounded by nieces, nephews, her sister-in-law and husband of 42 years, Bob Ruffner.

Raised in Sacramento, Sharon May McGowan attended El Camino High School and took to the emerging field of computer science like a duck to water.

This extraordinary facility led straight from graduation to a 36-year career with San Juan Unified School District. The teenager mastered electronic processing and later trained administrators, clerical workers, and teachers to adopt computerization. "She excelled at teaching," considers her husband. "People came to her nervous -- having never touched a computer -- she made them feel at ease with the technology that would soon rule their careers."

Beyond leading classes, his wife's greater passion was community. A Carmichael resident for 50 years, she inspired volunteerism. The Kiwanis Club of Carmichael benefited from her membership and recent co-presidency.

"Sharon's spirit was a beacon of light even during our most difficult times," says friend and former club president, Linda Martin. She was a modern woman, skilled in problem-solving. Sharon never saw impossibility -- just the need to adapt for each challenge."

Initiated by Sharon Ruffner and Kiwanis Co-President Jackie Delu, a drive to recycle plastic has become a productive project.

As an early Carmichael Parks Foundation President, she threw herself into a Dinner in the Park fundraiser that became a community tradition. She served on the Sierra Vista Community Church council. She planted shade trees in school yards and recycled plastic.

Without being a mom, Sharon bequeathed kindliness to young friends and relatives -- even to her dog. For Carmichael Park District yoga classes, the teacher was accompanied by Labrador Caprina, known to students as Yoga Dog. "She sat beside people who needed help," recalls Sharon's sister-in-law Robin Snider. "Caprina gave us the same care as our teacher did. And yes, she was especially good at the Downward Dog position."

After class, Caprina's mom helped distribute food through Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART) and Sacramento Kindness Campaign. Armed with a hammer, she joined church members building schoolhouses in Central America. "One day she taught yoga at a Honduran children's home," recalls her husband. "She didn't speak Spanish, so communication was all through movement. It was beautiful to watch everyone giggling and collapsing with laughter. Sharon could make anything fun."

In 2022, Carmichael Chamber of Commerce recognized Ruffner as Volunteer of the Year. Notes County Supervisor Rich Desmond:  "Many people give something back. Sharon gave everything. Her selflessness -- and the humor that she could find in most situations -- will always be an inspiration."

Volunteerism knows no vacation. The Ruffners built a cabin at Serene Lakes and helped organize an annual family festival for the mountain community. During the culminating street dance, Yoga-pro Sharon morphed into limbo queen. "She was as flexible as any kid," recalls her husband. "Sharon always got a huge round of applause."

By last fall, her illness had curtailed limbo-rock and all hands-on volunteerisms. Kiwanis chums initiated a 'Sharon Ruffner Community Service Day,' where park trees were trimmed, garbage was binned, hygiene kits were packed for homeless children and plastic was sorted for recycling. Forty volunteers then paraded by Ruffner’s home with banners. “I was flabbergasted,” exclaimed the object of their affection. “The most frustrating part of being sick is not being able to take part in projects. I’m so grateful for people who have stepped up and kept our work going.”

During joint club presidency, she and Kiwanian Jackie Delu spearheaded a project to repurpose unwanted plastic. The ongoing harvest is traded to a building material manufacturer that provides a composite park bench for each 1000 pounds of plastic. Kiwanians have now earned their fourth bench and inspired other non-profits to support the cause. “So much plastic is in our landfills and floating in our oceans,” lamented project co-founder Ruffner. “It’s exciting to find a meaningful use for it.”

Though ailing, the environmentalist never lost zeal for world improvement. Visitors in her final months were humbled by her interest in the bustling community beyond her living room.

"Sharon's doctors and health workers thanked her for being such a positive patient," says Bob Ruffner. "That huge love inside her reached out like a magnet. She helped me to be less judgmental. She taught me there's niceness nearly everyone. Unless you talk to people, you might never find it.

"My wife had a mantra: Go everywhere. Talk to everyone. Eat everything. To Sharon, life was a wonderful journey in learning and giving."

A celebration of Sharon Ruffner's life will be held in March. Service date and location will be provided when available.

Sharon Ruffner made a final visit to Carmichael Park with husband Bob Ruffner during the recent Founders Harvest Festival.