Sharmon Brougham
May 08, 1951 - February 03, 2025
Obituary
Sharmon Ann Brougham, 73, passed away Feb. 3, 2025. She was born in Billings to Oliver and Helen(Lumley) Sullivan on May 8, 1951. Sharmon spent her early years in Helena, where her father served as Commissioner of Labor and Industry, and she spent her school years in Billings. Sharmon loved music, performing in the Senior High choir and singing and dancing whenever the opportunity arose throughout her life. From a young age, she enjoyed cooking and baking, becoming expert at both. Every year for over three decades, she orchestrated the large Thanksgiving family meal in Billings.
In 1971, Sharmon moved to Denver with her young son Donovan, enrolled in college, and earned a Bachelor's degree in human services. After graduating, Sharmon joined the Colorado Department of Corrections, working in probation. She successfully pursued a management career and enacted new practices for addressing mental illness in the justice system. She was a four-time recipient of the Distinguished Special Achievement Award for the Colorado Judicial Department. She was a board member for the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Colorado Alliance on Mental Illness.
Sharmon met Marty Brougham through her work, and they fell deeply in love and married on Sept. 9, 1997. They shared numerous interests that they pursued for the next 25 years, including camping, traveling throughout the US and around the world, and gathering with family and friends.
After retirement, Sharmon and Marty moved to Billings, purchasing a lovely home on 7 acres in Emerald Hills that would be the site of many family reunions and 4th of July parties for 15 years.
Sharmon was gregarious, funny, giving, deeply empathetic, loving, and actively involved in her community, sharing her skills, time, and energy to help others. Having survived breast cancer at 55, she participated in Relay for Life and Pack the Mall in Pink in Billings for years. After retirement, Sharmon continued her work with the justice system in Montana, where she monitored grants, volunteered for crime prevention efforts, and expanded the pharmaceutical disposal program. She was a member of PEO International and was particularly proud of their work raising money to fund scholarships for women.
Sharmon was deeply loved by all who knew her, and she will be dearly missed. Sharmon was preceded in death by her parents, husband Marty, sister Rita Reno, and son Donovan Westermeyer. She is survived by sister Jere Duncan, brother Lyno Sullivan, numerous nieces and nephews, beloved dog Echo, and countless other family and friends.
Cremation has taken place with Dahl Funeral Chapel, and a celebration of life will be held later in 2025.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to breast cancer or mental illness nonprofits or a charity of your choice.