Sharon Tebbe

Sharon Montalbano Tebbe | June 2, 1943 – December 20, 2024 

Sharon Marie Montalbano Tebbe died early December 20 after living with Alzheimer’s for many years then a swift decline. She was 81. 

Sharon was loved and love. Born June 2, 1943 to Anthony and Helen (DeClue) in St. Louis, she was adored and spent her life pouring that love into family, friends, her students and later, her caregivers. Above all, she loved her children, Lisa and John, their spouses and her grandchildren unconditionally. 

Sharon’s early years were spent living with her maternal grandparents, Thomas and Lola (Butler) DeClue. Her dad was serving in the Navy in the Philippines and he couldn’t wait to get home to meet his baby daughter. When he was back stateside, he was assigned to Park College in Parkville, MO. Her mom often took Sharon on the train from Union Station to visit him and soon made the move to join him, living in a little apartment on campus. Sharon became the most popular toddler in town as all the Navy guys wanted to “borrow” her when they went for sodas or burgers as she naturally attracted the attention of young ladies. 

Back home in St. Louis, she and her younger brother, Richard, grew up surrounded by a loving extended family. Sharon loved to read, dance and play with her dolls. She attended Our Lady of Presentation in Overland, then St. William when her family moved to Woodson Terrace. She was always proud that when she graduated from 8th grade, her dad also graduated with a business and economics degree from Washington University. At Ritenour High School she excelled academically and played volleyball and basketball, graduating in 1961. 

At the University of Missouri – Columbia, Sharon found her passion in elementary education. She loved her time there, living in Gentry Hall and making many life-long friends. In 1964 she met Erine Tebbe during study hall at the Newman Center. He was drawn to her gregarious nature and stunning smile. 

After graduation in May 1965, Sharon and Ernie were married in August and later moved to St. Louis. Their daughter Lisa Marie was born the following August, followed by John Anthony 13 months later. They moved to a sweet ranch house in St. Charles and their days were filled with books, finger painting, story records and Sesame Street. 

Following a divorce, Sharon moved back to St. Louis and began her 33-year career as an elementary teacher for the City of St. Charles. At Coverdell Elemenary, she pioneered the “open pod” classroom where she coordinated curriculum and collaborated with her team of teachers. Idealistic, dedicated and passionate, she was a well-respected educator. Tough but loving, she inspired her students to excel academically and grow in character, responsibility, and independence. She supported their lives outside of the classroom, attending games, recitals, graduations and weddings. Many of her former students credit her for helping them become their best selves or followed in her footsteps as teachers. 

Sharon also taught at Lincoln Elementary and went on to earn her master’s degree in education in 1982 from Lindenwood University, while raising her two kids. She was very proud that her children attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart, which had been highly recommended to her as a young mother. She often said it was one of the best decisions she made. 

After a long and fulfilling career, Sharon retired in 2002. But she didn’t rest long, throwing herself into volunteer work. She was appointed to the mayor’s Senior Citizen’s Advisory Commission, planned the Senior Fair, was an active member of American Association of University Women (AAUW) and campaigned for school board candidates. She also enjoyed traveling with dear friends and her long-time partner, Mel Spurgeon, from trips to the Lake of the Ozarks to Florida, Colorado, and California, to cruises (Alaska, Eastern Seaboard and the Panama Canal, where she ziplined through the rainforest) to quiet time in the woods in Red Rock, Arkansas. Sharon continued to substitute teach and was a loving, dedicated daughter as she cared for her aging parents. 

Sharon lived bravely and beautifully with Alzheimer’s and in 2022 moved into memory care where her trademark smile, kind and loving nature brought joy to her caregivers. Even as she declined, she would thank them, tell them they were doing a great job and that she loved them. 

The ultimate educator, she was recognized for her talent and respected for her leadership. She was a fierce advocate for what she believed in. For her family and friends, Sharon radiated love. 

Sharon is survived by her daughter, Lisa, and son-in-law, John Powell; son, John, and daughter-in-law, Kimmy; granddaughters Mia Tebbe and Lola Tebbe; grandson, Noah Arnold; brother Richard (Connie) Montalbano; nieces, great nephews and niece, and many close cousins. 

Sharon donated her body to science. A Memorial Mass in the Shrine of St. Philippine Duchesne will be celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life reception. 

The family is grateful to the caregivers at The Boulevard Memory Care and St. Croix Hospice. Gifts in Sharon’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/) to continue research toward a cure, the Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Charles (https://www.ash1818.org/main/giving/give/) or the charity of your choice.