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Sharon Elaine Shuteran ’74

Sharon Elaine Shuteran ’74, May 5, 2012, on a hike in Baja California, Mexico, from a heart attack. Sharon attended Reed for two years before transferring to the University of Denver, where she earned a BA and a JD. She began her legal career as a VISTA attorney in Denver; her final position was judge for the San Miguel County Court. In 1979, she moved to Telluride, where she owned and operated the Excelsior Café with her spouse, Peter Muckerman. For 14 years, she did the baking for the café in the morning before going to court. Sharon and Peter had one son, Eliot; they later divorced. Sharon was known outside the courtroom for her tireless work as a volunteer for nonprofits and local festivals, for her work with a medical team in Bhutan, for hosting international students, and for organizing a charter school in Telluride. In addition, she taught conflict resolution workshops. Colleagues remember her as an unfailingly fair judge: she did not move people through the court system, but was attentive to details and committed to finding creative sentencing solutions for every defendant. Friends remember her as compassionate, kind, and generous. “Sharon’s ego was not part of any of her behavior or activities,” said one friend. “It was not in need of reinforcement. Her need was to be of help to others in the world.” Survivors include her son.

Appeared in Reed magazine: March 2013

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