Obituary of Sharon Reigh, 69

Sharon Virginia Reigh, 69, of Buffalo Run, rural Bellefonte, passed away early on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at her home.

She was born in Bellefonte on January 8, 1949, a daughter of the late Warren S. and Julia V. (Ranio) Breon. On June 21, 1969, in Bellefonte, she married Ronald E. Reigh, and together they shared 48 1?2 years of marriage. Ron survives at home.

Sharon was a 1966 graduate of Bellefonte Area High School and a member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Bellefonte. She was a lifelong resident of the Bellefonte area, and worked as Administrative Assistant at Penn State Office of Physical Plant until her retirement due to disability in 1995.

Although severe illness impacted Sharon for most of her life, she never gave up and through her struggle she made the world a better place. Diagnosed with brittle diabetes in 1983, Sharon demonstrated a remarkable resilience throughout her many hospitalizations and treatments. She possessed a spirit of hope that enabled her to enjoy many years together with her family and friends. With unmatched willpower she fought for her own and for countless others' lives. When she became eligible for a life-saving pancreas transplant, she fought her own insurance company when it denied coverage. After winning this battle and successfully receiving her own transplant in February, 2004, she continued her fight for others and in May, 2006, working with the University of Pittsburgh School of Law Clinic, achieved a reversal of Medicare's National Coverage Decision so that solitary pancreas transplants are now covered by Medicare.

Sharon was an avid reader, loved figure skating and country music, and most of all, loved her family. Her home was always a place of refuge, love, and warmth for her family and friends.

In addition to her husband, Sharon is survived by her daughter, Ginger (John) Espigh of Boalsburg; her son, Shawn (Holly) Reigh of Fleming; her grandchildren, Rebecca (Andrew) Guffey, Wyatt McCool, Jameson Reigh, and Clayton Reigh; a foster grandchild, Zachary Fitzgerald; two great-grandchildren, Peyton and Aeriella Guffey; a sister, Catherine (Ralph) Houser of Valley View; a sister-in-law, P. Jane Goss of Harrisburg; nephews, Justin Houser and Brian (Jen) Weaver; nieces, Jamilyn Houser and Melanie (Jason) Holtz; great-niece, Jessica Holtz; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. In addition to her parents, Sharon was preceded in death by two brothers, Warren Leonard Breon and Daniel Allen Breon.

Friends will be received on Tuesday February 6, 2018 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College. The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday February 7, 2018 at the funeral home, with Pastor Stephen R. Hicks, her friend, officiating. Burial will be made at Centre County Memorial Park.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.