ShariGay Sommer

Lexington - ShariGay Sommer, 60, of Lexington, passed away Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at the Plum Creek Care Center in Lexington.

Shari was born November 6, 1961, in Stoughton, Massachusetts, to Robert and Phyllis (Buxton) Carlson. At birth she wighed about 4 pounds.While at the hospital she lost a pound, but she survived through sheer stubbornness and determination traits that she was known for throught her life. Also she was born with hydrocephalus(water on the brain) which she dealt with her entire life. That didn’t stop her. She attended school in Brockton and graduated in 1979 from Brockton High School.

Outside of school, in her youth, Shari was very active in her childhood church, South Congregational Church in Brockton.   In 1980, South Congregational Church and three other churches joined together and created the Christ Congregational Church, United Church of Christ. She was active in the newly formed church as well. She was often helping in the baby room or preschool rooms.

On April 20, 1987, she was united in marriage to John Christian Sommer, and to this union, two children were born, blessed with Stephanie and Matthew. The couple would later divorce. She was employed at Franklin Sports before giving birth to Steph while in Massachusetts.

In 2009 Shari, her children, and her mother, Phyllis, moved to Lexington to be near family. In 2010 after living at Park Avenue for a few months, she entered Plum Creek Care Center in Lexington for the rest of her life.

Shari loved coffee, and often the family could determine how she was feeling by figuring out if she was asking for her coffee. Another passion of hers while at the care home was Bingo. If Bingo was going on, she was there – no matter what else was going on. She also loved playing cards, cribbage, music, cats and all animals, and her granddaughters. Shari was also known for her orneriness and forward personality. And she never missed a church service (prior to COVID) at the care home – no matter the denomination.

Survivors include her daughter, Steph, and husband Ethan Wenburg of Lexington, son, Matt Sommer of Lexington, two grandchildren: Serenity and Kira Wenburg, one brother, Bruce Carlson, and wife Dr. Fran Acosta-Carlson of Lexington. One nephew Seth Carlson and his children, Isabella, Quentin, Gabriella of Lexington, and Grant of Shelby. One niece Mindy (Carlson) Long, her husband, Mike, and their children Avery and Nolan of Cerulean, Kentucky. And extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Doug, a nephew, and a niece.

Thursday, November 18, 2021, a celebration of life will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington, with Pastor Rex Adams, officiating.

The family has granted her wishes to be cremated.

Memorials are suggested to the family.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com