Sharon Townes-Wiley, a beloved longtime staff member of UMBC’s dining services, died on Feb. 15, 2018 at the age of 69.
A devoted member of the UMBC community, Townes-Wiley’s radiant face was instantly recognizable to students whenever they frequented the Outtakes in Commons.
“She was always kind to me, and had a great smile. I’m sorry she’s gone,” said junior media and communications major London Davis.
“I’m saddened by the news. She was always very friendly and kind,” said junior global studies and economics double major Keara Vyas.
Townes-Wiley never turned her back on those that needed her, but instead took the time to patiently listen, uplift and give helpful advice.
Her coworkers in Commons remember her as a kind mother figure and friend. Au Bon Pain employees Tiera McMillon and Ashley Cook shared their heartfelt memories of her and offered their condolences along with Wild Greens employees Shawn Taylor and Katrina Smith, and 2mato employee Cherese Owens.
“I’ve known Miss Sharon for six years and for the six years that I’ve known her she’s always been nice to me. She always gave me a hug. I have nothing bad to say about Miss Sharon. She was always a sweetheart to me,” said McMillon.
Cook said, “I’ve known Miss Sharon for ten years. She was like a grandmother to me. I always went to her for advice. She helped me out with a lot of situations. She will truly be missed.”
“Miss Sharon was very kind to everyone. She was like a mother to us and she always helped us out. She always gave us good advice whenever we needed help or were having problems. Everyone wishes she could come back to us, but that’s how life is. It’s going to be hard for us to move on,” said Taylor.
“Miss Sharon, I love you and I’ll always miss you. She was a nice hard working woman and I hope that I can grow to be her age. I want to be just like her. A wonderful woman,” said Smith.
“I just want to say that Miss Sharon was an awesome woman. She’d been working here in UMBC for years. Miss Sharon was a wonderful person. She was very sweet and nice to her coworkers,” said Owens. “She always helped us out whenever we had a problem with an issue. I’m going to miss her very very much.”
