Sharon (Keith) Cerci

Sharon Cerci, a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, gifted artist, lifelong musician, loving mother of three, and grandmother of six, passed away on October 21, 2026, at the age of 84. Born on the Fourth of July in Providence, Rhode Island, the daughter of the late Gordon Keith and Ida May “Mimi” (Chadwick) Keith, Sharon possessed an independent spirit that suited her birthday perfectly. She was raised in Brockton, where she graduated from high school and went on to attend college. She loved Jesus, her family, the arts, and America—four enduring loves that shaped her life.

Proud of her American heritage, she traced her ancestry to William Bradford, the Mayflower Pilgrim and governor of Plymouth Colony, and to the five Keith brothers, whose descendants were among the early settlers of Brockton, Massachusetts. She was also a descendant of Revolutionary War soldier Deborah Sampson and a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Sharon was blessed with an extraordinary breadth of God-given creative talents, a rare combination of artistic vision, musical ability, skilled craftsmanship, and practical ingenuity. She seemed to see possibilities where others saw limitations, bringing imagination, beauty, and purpose to whatever she set her mind and hands to.

In 1975, she moved to Florida, where, as a single mother raising three children, she drew upon these gifts with determination and resourcefulness to help provide for her family. She lived for about twenty years in Dunedin, Florida, and later in the Pittsburgh area, before moving to Waltham three years ago to be closer to family. Sharon worked for many years in customer service in the health care field, including with Express Scripts. Her exquisite scrimshaw artistry earned her the honor of becoming the first non-British artist to receive recognition from the Miniature Arts Society. She was also a gifted heraldic artist, designing original family crests and coats of arms. Her creativity extended far beyond traditional art, from intricate engraving to building her own kitchen cabinets. Music was equally woven into her life. She began playing piano at six, studied under a jazz pianist in Boston at eighteen, taught herself to play by ear, and especially loved gospel music. In recent years, she found joy playing the baby grand piano at Leland House, sharing her music with residents and staff. She was a wonderful conversationalist who liked to say she talked about only two things—news and religion—but she always found her way to art as well. Resourceful and resilient, she faced life with perseverance. And she loved her cats, Max and Mr. Woo.

For Sharon, creativity was more than a talent; it was part of who God made her to be, and a gift she used to glorify Him and generously shared with others.

Above all, Sharon was a woman of bold and unwavering faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Independent, strong-willed, resourceful, and generous, she approached life with determination and a deep trust in God’s faithfulness. She spoke openly about Jesus, prayed faithfully for others, and followed God’s leading with courage and conviction. She attended Grace Chapel in Lexington, and those who knew her called her a powerhouse for prayer. Her family held a particularly special place in her heart, and she continually prayed for them, over them, and with them. Prayer was one of the most meaningful ways Sharon expressed her love, bringing the needs, hopes, and burdens of others before the Lord. She didn’t need to know how everything would work out; she trusted that God did. She cherished spending time with her family and was always overjoyed when she was with her grandchildren. Some of her happiest times were spent at the beach in Onset at her mother’s house, enjoying lobster rolls on the beach and collecting shells. Sharon will be remembered for the family she cherished, her independent spirit, the beauty she created, the music she shared, and her love of country. But above all, she leaves a legacy of faith and prayer—a reminder to those who knew and loved her that God can always be trusted.

She leaves her children, Keith Cerci of Waltham, Chris Cerci and his wife Laurie of Mount Lebanon, PA, and Lee Denmark of Guntersville, AL; her grandchildren, Michael Denmark and his wife Jess, Abigail, Sophia Cerci, Andrei and Olivia; her sister, Jessica Hatch and her husband Robert of Knoxville, TN; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Sharon’s life by gathering for visiting hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, on Thursday, November 5, from 4 to 6 p.m. Her memorial service will be held on Friday, November 6, at 11 a.m. in Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Road, Lexington. Burial will be held privately at a later date.