Shary was a young woman when her grandmother died.  The experience shaped Shary’s personal and work life in profound ways and, ultimately, led her to form Partners for Transitions. 

During the six months leading up to that death, Shary spent many days working through personal and practical issues with her grandmother.  Together, they met with bank managers, lawyers and accountants.  They talked about how and where she wanted to die and whom she would like to speak at her memorial service.  When her grandmother did pass away, Shary felt calm and competent and thankful to spend the last precious days just being with her.  “My grandmother taught me that the greatest gift you can give your family is planning in advance for the end of your life,” Shary says.

The thread of knowing that death can be a positive experience was woven into Shary’s life early on.  She remembers that at age six, she already knew that she wanted to work in some way with death and dying.  The time with her grandmother clarified the direction: to help others plan, prepare and cope in the ways her grandmother had taught her.  She realized that her passionate interest was not enough; she needed more experience.  Thus, Shary began her career as a Life Planning Specialist in 1980, when she taught a class called “Second Growth”.  This class for the newly widowed helped the women establish a sense of order and competency in the face of their overwhelming grief.  The class addressed the practical aspects as well as the emotional issues. From this class grew a private practice, working with individuals in all phases of change and transitions: illness, aging, death and bereavement.
    
Shary’s warm personality, impressive experience and personal contacts enhance the services she offers through Partners for Transitions. Since 2001, she has conducted “Conversations with Life” classes at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. Introducing the concepts and issues of advance planning in a comfortable and non-threatening way, these classes have become popular for participants throughout the area.  In addition, Shary’s experience with these classes and with private clients clarified the need for a comprehensive program that addresses the complexities of aging, illness and end-of-life.  The culmination of this life-long interest and passion comes to fruition in Partners for Transitions.

Shary and her husband, Congressman Sam Farr, daughter and son-in-law
and two grandchildren live in Carmel.

Previous positions and accomplishments include:

1980 – Created “Second Growth”, seminars dealing with the emotional and financial issues of being widowed.

1985 – Initiated the position of Financial Resources Consultant for Pacific Western Bank.

1992 – Served as Life Planning Specialist for Hospice of the Central Coast.

1997 – Created “Family Matters” Program for Monterey Federal Credit Union.

1998 – Served as Life Planning Specialist for Hospice Foundation.

2001 – Helped establish “Conversation with Life” – Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula.

2008 – Established Partners for Transitions: Providing Planning, Guidance and Partnership for Aging, Illness and End-of-Life.

Shary has won the following awards for her work in the field of life planning:

1986 – Received the American Bankers Association Award for “efforts to enhance the image of the business of banking”.

1989 – Received the “Women Helping Women” Award from Soroptimists International of the Monterey Peninsula and Carmel.

2002 – Named One of Ten Outstanding Women of Monterey County.