Flemington, NJ –– Sharon Junko (nee Nakashima) Clover, 74, entered into eternal life on Friday, July 22, 2022 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ, following a tragic and fatal automobile accident.  Born in Oakland, CA, Sharon was raised in San Leandro, CA, the daughter of the late Junji Alexander and Chizuko Mary (nee Mukuno) Nakashima and the niece of Toshio Nakashima.  She grew up among the Nakashima Nurserymen who were pioneers of the Japanese American Floral Industry in the San Francisco Bay Area.  They specialized in growing and creating many hybrid varieties of roses and were also in the appliance business.  Sharon was a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist and the Nakashima family was very active in the Japanese community where they spearheaded the construction of the Oakland Buddhist church, completed in 1927.

Sharon had her undergraduate education at the University of California at Berkeley and then after earning her doctorate in pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from the UCSF School of Pharmacy in San Francisco, CA., she worked at Stanford University in Stanford, CA.  After moving to the East Coast in the early 1980's, she resided briefly in Northern New Jersey and then settled in Flemington where she continued her career as a retail pharmacist.  Sharon's gift from God was love and she loved everyone.  Her caring heart enabled her to interact with customers for their best interest in coordination with their medical doctors.  She was a loving caregiver to the community.  In 1985, she married Neil Fredrick Clover who was a champion ballroom dancer and taught ballroom dance at Princeton University, where he also coached the intercollegiate team leading them to become the Ivy League Champions.  Leaving Sharon a widow in 1993, he lost his battle with cancer.

In 1991, after nearly 20 years as a retail pharmacist, Sharon moved into the corporate arena with the large pharmaceutical firms, initially working for Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals at Johnson & Johnson in Bridgewater, NJ, where she supported the marketing, regulatory, clinical affairs and legal divisions with actionable Knowledge Management of Medical Information for product introduction and market intelligence.  Her efforts contributed to the launch of the Renova skin care product line.

Later in 1998, Sharon went to work at Celgene Corporation in Warren, NJ, where she continued her career in the Medical Information function and managed Medical Services.  Then from 2001 to 2011, she held various management positions with Bayer Pharmaceuticals in Whippany, NJ and their acquired entities of Berlex Laboratories and Intendis, Inc. supporting the launch of several new products.  After initially retiring in 2011, she took a sabbatical to continue her education and then returned as a professional consultant with Bristol-Myers-Squibb and Bayer Pharmaceuticals until 2017.  Always a learner, following this second retirement she enjoyed reading and private research of pharmaceuticals and the science of their various mechanisms of action.

Sharon's social perspective in life knew no bounds and was embraced by a loving and giving attitude to everyone she knew and met along the way.  She was always happy with an incredible smile as wide as the ocean.  Her favorite color was Sunshine Yellow and she loved looking out the kitchen window at her various specimen plantings and flowers that adorned the backyard and deck.  She was a fabulous cook and baker and her 14-inch high chiffon cakes were beyond delicious and very much admired and enjoyed by all.  She saw much delight when her hands were rolled up in chocolate to her elbows, and could express her artistic creativity in the many different baked goods given to others as gifts of love.

Besides her parents, Sharon was predeceased by her husband in 1993 and will be deeply missed by her dear brother Lawrence Nakashima and his wife Bernadette, their daughter Cassandra, their son Jonathan and his wife Jessica along with the grandchildren Anderson and Ellie.  Sharon is also survived by her caring stepson, Neil Clover of Ringoes, NJ, his wife Michelle, their two very accomplished children Marissa and Christian, to whom Sharon was Obaasan, along with the many cousins and their families scattered around the globe and by David Geisler, her longtime loving partner and companion in life.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation at Countryside Funeral Home, 724 Route 202 North, Three Bridges, NJ 08887 on Friday, June 7, 2024 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM, which will include a Buddhist Service from 3:30 - 4:30 PM.  There will be additional visitation hours on Friday, June 7, 2024 from 7:00–9:00 PM.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church, 105 Summer Road, Three Bridges, NJ 08887 with Very Reverend Thomas J. Serafin, VF, KCHS officiating.  All are encouraged to wear a splash of yellow to celebrate Sharon's happy smile always given to others.  At the family's request the disposition will be held privately.  Memorial contributions may be made in Sharon's name to Sharing Network Foundation, 691 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ  07974.  To send condolences to the family or light a virtual candle in Sharon's memory, please visit Countryside Funeral Home