Sharla was a true believer in God and in Jesus and a devout Catholic. She attended mass on a daily basis when she could. Sharla had her challenges and met them head on. She was born partially blind but through it all, she managed to cope with life's challenges. She became very ill with cancer and was admitted into a care facility. She loved her priests and considered them as her earthly fathers.

Sharla was preceded in death by her father, Glen Atwood, her mother Alice DeZeeuw, sister Shanna, and her sister Rosie. She is survived by her brother Robert, two children Carol and Justin and a host of nieces and nephews.