Deadwood | Sharon Marie (Stafford) Peale, 72 of Deadwood passed away Monday, February 22, 2016 at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Sharon was born on a dairy farm in southern New York State.  The oldest of six children born to Rockwell and Mary Stafford. She learned hard work from a young age and told many stories of early morning milking's before school, driving tractor at the tender age of ten, and summers spent helping with the haying process.  She loved learning and teaching others. She attended colleges in New York, New Mexico, and Montana where she earned her master's degree in special education.  She believed in eating healthy and staying active, proudly walking her beloved dog, Santana, four miles a day (and very rarely missed a day!). She enjoyed exploring nature, looking for artifacts and rock hounding. Pastimes included reading, knitting, genealogy, and researching any topic that caught her interest.  She is survived by her children, Bodie Kent of Deadwood, and Tara (Doug) Hanson of Oklahoma, as well as three grandchildren, Aubree, Tanner, and Jenna; and siblings Linda McCutcheon of New Mexico, John (Barbara) Stafford of Florida, Lois (Mark) Whitson of California, Cindy Stafford of Arizona, and Dennis (Rosalie) Stafford of North Carolina.

Teaching truly was her passion and she made a difference in the lives of so many students. She absolutely believed in the potential of every child.

Keeping with Sharon's wishes, cremation has taken place and no local services are planned at this time.

To honor her memory, the family is collecting donations that will benefit the Lead Deadwood School District. Donations can be sent to NHFCU, Sharon Peale Memorial Education Fund, PO Box 406, Deadwood SD, 57732.