Remembering Sharon Bailey: Beloved, longtime DPS educator passes away

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DENVER — The Denver area has lost a woman who was described as “a pillar in the community.” Sharon Bailey’s passing has many remembering what a was a beloved, cherished advocate and long-term educator she was for Denver Public Schools (DPS). 

“I’ve been a teacher in DPS for over 20 years, and there isn’t anybody who doesn’t know Dr. Bailey," Priscilla Shaw Rahn said. "She's been so incredibly involved in working with teachers and students and just making education and the quality so much better than what it's been. She's been a former school board member and has worked in Denver Public Schools in the central office and just mentoring educators. She's done so much research and listening to educators of color and finding solutions.” 

Shaw Rahn mentioned she first met Bailey to talk one-on-one about her research on a project called Black Excellence Resolution, which outlined the issues Black and African American students faced in DPS and ways for the district to change to help those students succeed. During that interview, Shaw Rahn said she could truly see how big Bailey’s heart was for the Denver community and her passion for finding solutions to help better create educational pathways for students of color. 

Shaw Rahn added: “I just shared my experiences as an educator of color. And she was very warm, and very open, and non-judgmental.” 

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Among the countless lives Bailey touched, one of them was State Senator Rhonda Fields.

“It didn’t matter who you were, whenever you were around her, you would always learn something from her,” said Fields. 

Field spoke about the many educational obstacles and barriers Bailey broke down through her life’s work, but pointed out the most important thing to Bailey was family.  

“She was a family woman,” Fields said. “She had a close bond with her husband, her kids, and with her grandkids. She celebrated families.” 

Bailey passed away on Friday, December 3 while at home. She was 68 years old. She is survived by her husband, John, their three adult sons, and five grandchildren.  

Bailey grew up in Denver and graduated from Denver East High School. She received her undergraduate degree at Princeton University, a master’s in Interdisciplinary Social Science, and a Ph.D. in Public Administration from the University of Colorado. Bailey is also a recipient of various awards and is recognized for many accomplishments, like being inducted into the Colorado Association of School Boards' Hall of Fame. From 1988 to 1995, she served as an elected member of the DPS Board of Education. 

DPS wrote in a statement about her sudden passing that, “her contributions will be felt for generations to come.” 

Bailey’s impact went beyond the education system in Denver; she was a staple in the community making changes wherever she could, never sitting on the sidelines.  

“She just did everything she could to be civically engaged in the community and that’s what I adored about her because she was always present and always available,” Fields described.  

Fields expressed that grief is handled differently by everyone and encouraged friends and loved ones to reach out to the Bailey family during this sudden and tragic time. 

“I’m not surprised that so many people have commented on the loss that we have experienced this week because it’s significant for us. And I don’t know who is going to fulfill the spot and the void that has been created by her loss,” Fields said. “We need to keep the family lifted in prayer because dealing with pain and grief and pain is difficult, and you can’t fast forward pain and grief; it’s a process. And so, Dr. Bailey is not going to be able to be with her family this Christmas, and we need to punch holes in any depression that the family might be experiencing. And just reach out to them and love them. We don’t need to ask a lot of questions; we just need to listen and provide support.” 

There are two opportunities to pay your respects and say goodbye to Dr. Bailey. And for those who can't attend, New Hope will livestream on their youtube page. 

  • “Celebration of Life:” Friday, Dec. 10th from 6 to 8 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church 
  • “Home Going Service:” Saturday, Dec. 11th at 11 a.m. at New Hope Baptist Church 

 

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Dr. Sharon Bailey Memorial Scholarship Fund sponsored by the Denver Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Bailey family. 

Checks can be made payable to The Denver Foundation, 1009 Grant St., Denver, CO 80203. 

Donations can also be made online directly to The Denver Foundation, where people can indicate that donation is in memory/honor of Sharon Bailey. 

Lindsey Ford is a multimedia journalist with Rocky Mountain PBS. You can reach her at lindseyford@rmpbs.org.