Sharon Lee Batt

Sharon Lee (Connolley) Batt passed away peacefully on October 19th at Brownsburg Meadows in Brownsburg, Indiana.

Born in 1941 in Waseca, Minnesota, to Mary E. Connolley (Buschow) and John Connolley, Sharon was a gifted musician and performer. During her high school years, she played the saxophone in the marching band and was the lead in Jane Eyre during her senior year at Waseca High School.

Sharon attended the University of Minnesota, where she studied education. In 1963, Sharon married George Batt, and together they raised three children during their 55-year marriage. The family lived in Minnesota, New York, and New Jersey before settling in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, where they resided from 1972 until 2015.

Sharon held several roles in education as a preschool, Kindergarten, 5th grade, middle school teacher, and college professor. She pursued her passion for floral design and opened Expressions, a successful flower shop in Wheaton, Illinois. Her artistic talents went beyond creating spectacular arrangements, as she also designed the logo for her business and became very creative with weddings. Some highlights of her floral career included working with Brookfield Zoo to craft a Hawaiian lei for a dolphin and shooting a scene in her flower shop during a hometown visit for an episode of the television series, “The Bachelor”. 

Both Sharon and George enjoyed their business and giving back to the surrounding community. They both shared a love of travel, often embarking on adventures with family and friends. They particularly enjoyed attending flower industry conferences and conventions, making cherished memories along the way.

Sharon owned and operated “the Shop” for over 20 years before selling the business and retiring to Zionsville, Indiana in 2015. Sharon will be lovingly remembered as a devoted daughter, wife, mother, and talented florist. She is survived by her three children, Becky Culp, Laurie Berenschot, and David Batt; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents. 

The family will honor Sharon’s life in a private service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.