Sharon Behrends, 51, of Bala Cynwyd, PA, passed away on December 26, 2014 at Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood, PA, due to cancer. At Sharon’s request, a simple memorial service was held on December 28th in Bala Cynwyd, PA. Burial will take place at a later date in MN. Helweg & Rowland Funeral Home of Abington, PA was in charge of arrangements.

Sharon was born May 23, 1963 in Arlington, VA to Jack and Betty (Behrens) Behrends. Sharon was baptized by Pastor George Wehrenberg of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in So. Arlington. Sharon with her family moved to Fairmont MN in 1965, where she attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School and was confirmed. She graduated from Fairmont High School in 1981.

Following graduation from Bethel University, she accepted a staff position at The Children’s Home, Cromwell, CT, a state-operated home for under-privileged and abused children. She later was a director at a Des Moines, IA facility for special children and adults. Sharon then was hired by a Des Moines firm that worked with corporate businesses. In Des Moines Sharon married Naser Al-baghli of Kuwait. They moved to Kuwait City. They later divorced. Sharon then moved to Philadelphia working as a consultant here and overseas.

While working as a consultant in Geneva, Switzerland, Sharon met and married Guenna Novikov on May 3, 1994. Later that year she accepted a position to relocate back to the U.S. They moved to Philadelphia where their son. Anton, was born March 10, 1995. Sharon and Guenna separated a couple years later.

Sharon was employed by Pfizer Pharmaceutical. She then became self-employed, contracting with pharmaceutical companies on the East Coast to do business strategy and market research, living and working in Philadelphia area the last several years.

Sharon faced and attacked each challenge in life with enthusiasm and optimism, as was realized by many in recent months. She seldom complained but retained a deep faith in God.

Sharon is survived by her son Anton Novehrends of Longmont CO, her mother Betty Behrends of Fairmont, her sister Laurie Behrends of Excelsior, MN as well as many relatives and friends. Sharon was preceded in death by her father. Jack Behrends, in 2009.

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