he was in her element teaching history and together with her husband, Bill, worked at the Living History Farm at Washington-0n-The Brazos State Park. Shari had a deep and abiding faith in God and in human nature. She drank in the energy of the kids she worked with and strove to give each one what they truly needed. Her great frustration was not feeling like she could help each and every one, but she lived for the spark of inspiration and understanding that she saw in her kids and was so proud of them as they grew and matured. She is proudest of her own children, Katie and James! They have grown to be outstanding young people, who have dealt with Shari's illness with strength, courage and compassion. Shari couldn't have asked any more nor been more proud of them. Her greatest regret is not being able to spend more time with Katie and James, to see them grow and have families of their own. Bill said "Shari always saw our life in songs. At the end waht resonated with us was "Let it Be" by the Beatles. Survivors include her husband, William "Bill" Irwin; two children, Kathleen "Katie" and James B. Irwin, all of Washington; her parents, Duane and Lenora Payne of Hampton, IA; a sister, Lynette Lehman of Des Moines, IA along with other relatives and a great number of friends. For those that desire, the family has requested memorials given in Shari's name to Hospice Brazos Valley-Brenham, 302 E. Blue Bell Rd., Brenham, TX 77833, Drums for Christ at www.drumsforchrist.org or The American Cancer Society. Burial will be in the Zion Reformed Church Cemetery.