Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (PIMS) is pleased to welcome Sharon Gee-Mascarello to its Board of Directors. A distinguished funeral service educator and professional, Sharon brings decades of experience in mortuary science education, embalming, and service to the profession.
A Career Dedicated to Funeral Service Education
Sharon spent more than two decades at Wayne State University’s Mortuary Science Program, preparing future funeral service professionals for their careers. Her teaching included embalming, comparative religion, presentation and cosmetics, and the coordination of practical training. Throughout her career, she has emphasized the technical knowledge, ethical responsibilities, and compassion essential to funeral service.
Her dedication to education has earned her numerous professional honors, including recognition as Educator of the Year and Mortuary Educator of the Year. Sharon is also the author of the sixth edition of Embalming: History, Theory, and Practice, a widely respected textbook in funeral service education.
Beyond the classroom, Sharon has been an advocate for organ, tissue, and eye donation. In 2016, she received the inaugural Donation Champion Award for funeral service professionals from Gift of Life Michigan and Eversight Michigan. The award recognized her efforts to strengthen cooperation between funeral service professionals and donation organizations.
A Philosophy of Compassionate Service
Sharon’s philosophy of funeral service closely reflects the values at the heart of PIMS. During a recent interview with the Institute, she spoke about the responsibility funeral directors have to the families they serve.
“We’re building a legacy with that family for that person who lived. And we’re responding to their needs. It’s not about us.”
Her words reflect a commitment to compassion, adaptability, and respect for each family’s individual wishes. They also embody the meaning behind PIMS’s guiding message, “Follow Your Servant’s Heart.” At its core, funeral service is about placing the needs of others before our own.
Welcoming Sharon to the PIMS Board
Sharon Gee-Mascarello brings valuable educational experience and professional insight to the PIMS Board of Directors. Her appointment supports the Institute’s commitment to academic excellence, professional preparation, and compassionate service.
Since 1939, PIMS has prepared students for meaningful careers in funeral service. Sharon’s appointment builds upon that tradition as the Institute continues to evolve. Readers can explore the school’s history through the PIMS institutional timeline.
PIMS proudly welcomes Sharon and looks forward to the knowledge, experience, and perspective she will bring to the institution’s continued development.
Watch Sharon share her perspective on compassionate funeral service in her conversation with PIMS.
Learn more about Sharon’s contributions to organ, tissue, and eye donation through Gift of Life Michigan.