Sharon Safford Harty

Sharon Safford Harty passed peacefully in her sleep on Friday, June 20th at age 76 after a 3 year battle with cancer. She was born on April 29th, 1949, daughter of the late Harvey and Arlene (Nee: Rommel) Safford, and grew up on a farm in Illinois. She graduated from The University of Illinois with a Master’s in School Psychology. She was united in marriage to her soulmate, Thomas John Harty, on August 3rd, 1974. They moved to Franksville in 1986 to raise their family. She then earned a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin, Parkside. She started working at The Southern Wisconsin Center as a psychologist in 1979, transitioning to supervising psychologist and unit director prior to retiring in 2012. Her interests were in the performing arts, having held season tickets to the Milwaukee Repertory Theater for over 45 years. She was an avid supporter of the Racine Art Museum, having served as a volunteer docent for several years. She was also a member of several honorary organizations including Phi Beta Kappa.

Sharon was the most loving and thoughtful mother, grandmother, and wife. She worked hard to make holidays special for her family and she enjoyed a good mystery novel. She placed high value on education and growth opportunities, always encouraging her children and grandchildren to reach their potential and expressing her joy and pride with them along the way.

She is survived by her loving husband of over 50 years, Tom; her daughter, Adrienne (Scott) Peterson, her grandchild, Ainsley Peterson; her son, John (Claire) Harty; grandchildren, Lucas, Cora, and David Harty; and her brother, James Safford.

Funeral Services celebrating Sharon’s life will be held at 11:00 am, at the funeral home, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Relatives and friends are welcome to meet with the family for Visitation on Tuesday at 10:00 am until time of service at the funeral home. Private interment will be held at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, town of Dover. Memorials to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Racine Art Museum or to the Wounded Warrior Project have been suggested by the family.