Sharyl Ann Overholser was born December 25, 1944 in Los Angeles to J. Homer and Marian (Mim) Overholser. Sharyl grew up in the San Fernando Valley, attending Taft High school and graduating from USC. She worked at the John Tracy Clinic, taught elementary school for several years, then she began a rewarding career at American Funds as Vice President of Marketing, breaking the glass ceiling and thriving there for many years. She loved to travel, and she traveled extensively throughout the world with friends and family, visiting far-flung locations such as Papua New Guinea, West Papua, Mount Everest Base Camp, the Galápagos Islands, the Great Barrier Reef and many, many others. She also had a deep connection to Mammoth, CA, where her parents took her hiking and fishing as a young girl.

Sharyl was blessed to find the love of her life with Stephen Fainsbert, whom she married in 2010. Together, they retired in 2011 and moved from LA to their home in San Luis Obispo. Sharyl and Steve had a wonderful life there - they joined the local bicycle club and for the next seven years they loved life and rode century rides. They then moved back near LA, to Westlake Village, where they enjoyed lakeside living and entertaining at their home, as well as loving their adopted dog, Fedor. Sharyl was preceded in death by Steve, who passed away on September 30, 2021.

Sharyl was diagnosed with cancer in 2022, but she continued to travel and enjoy life to the fullest until she passed peacefully away on April 27 [2023] at her home, surrounded by friends and family. Sharyl was preceded in death by her parents, J. and Mim Overholser, brother, Alan, and cousin, Rita Overholser Harwood. She is survived by her niece Anne Overholser Knox, Anne's husband Lars, their son Jacob and daughter Rowan, cousin Steve Harwood and his sons, Nolan, Evan, and Colin, Colin's wife Ashley, and many loved Overholser relatives. 

Sharyl was diagnosed with cancer in 2022, but she continued to travel and enjoy life to the fullest until she passed peacefully away on April 27 at her home, surrounded by friends and family. Sharyl was preceded in death by her parents, J. and Mim Overholser, brother, Alan, and cousin, Rita Overholser Harwood. She is survived by her niece Anne Overholser Knox, Anne's husband Lars, their son Jacob and daughter Rowan, cousin Steve Harwood and his sons, Nolan, Evan, and Colin, Colin's wife Ashley, and many loved Overholser relatives. Sharyl was a GIVER. She gave to anyone who needed help; friends, family, people who helped her maintain her home and even friends of friends she didn't even know. Her wish was to be remembered as a philanthropist who did her best to change the world for the better. In February of this year, Sharyl was honored as philanthropist of the year by Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Senior Concerns in Sharyl's name, at seniorconcerns.org. A celebration of Sharyl's life will be held at the Woodland Hills Country Club on June 23 at 11:00 AM.

     ***** Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2023