Rest Well, Sharon

Sadly, in recent weeks two people who meant a lot to me have died.
A few days ago, Sharon Modica of Kenmore, the owner and operator/chef of the Apple Dumpling restaurant on Elmwood Avenue in Kenmore, died. You may remember that I wrote a piece wondering if anyone knew why the Apple Dumpling had closed several months ago.
Sadly, the last time Val and I ate at the Apple Dumpling (Val's work schedule has really limited our visits in the last year or so), in late winter/early spring, we noticed that Sharon was looking a bit thinner and seemed to be tiring quicker. Sharon, a retired teacher, was a bigger-than-life kind of person with a large heart and large mouth who would never hesitate to let you know what she thought about you or any other topic.
She loved to travel and she loved her family, especially her grandchildren, who she spoke about frequently. She also did not tolerate fools; she had a sign in her restaurant warning people to turn off their cell phones or they would be asked to leave, and Val and I witnessed her telling people to leave when their cell phones rang.
Sharon was also a wonderful chef/cook who made breakfast and very early lunch at the Apple Dumpling. My favorites included her pecan turtle pancakes, homemade cinnamon bread French toast and eggs Benedict; Val loved her buckwheat pancakes with apple slices and caramel sauce as well as her fruit syrups.
Val and I loved her food, but also loved the atmosphere and conversation with Sharon and her staff; we made friends and received great travel tips from Joanne Paladino when she worked there. We also got to know several people from all of our frequent eating at the Apple Dumpling.
It was a sad day when Val and I went to eat breakfast there and saw the doors locked, the shades drawn and the wall decorations removed. It is much sadder and unfortunate now that Sharon has died, someone who brought true joy through her food, her teaching and herself.