I’ve been writing with Tri-City Voice since 2019. When I got here, Bill and Sharon Marshak were the soul of the paper. You couldn’t think of Tri-City Voice without Bill and Sharon, or Bill and Sharon without immediately mentioning Tri-City Voice. You also couldn’t say Bill without immediately adding Sharon.
In 2024, Bill and Sharon departed from the paper to enjoy a well deserved retirement in Idaho. That feels like an eyeblink ago, but early in 2026 we said another goodbye as Sharon passed away in hospice care.
Bill was beside her, along with other family members. But her death in Idaho was also felt here in Fremont at the Tri-City Voice office where she spent so many lively years.
Researching this tribute, I looked up an interview Bill and Sharon did with The Fremont Podcast, hosted by Ricky B., back in 2022, when they were looking back on Tri-City Voice’s 20th anniversary.
“Every day was something different we were learning about,” Sharon said. “So we didn’t stop to think we were tired, is this overwhelming, can we keep doing this. We just kept growing.”
Sharon was the impetus for both the couple moving to Fremont in 1996, and getting into local journalism. After going back to school for computer graphics and multimedia, she landed a job in Milpitas as a production manager, in part based on a newspaper mockup she had made on Quark. She didn’t say that the experience of working on the project was horrendous and she never wanted to do it again.
She used Quark to put Tri-City Voice together up until her retirement.
In the podcast she also confided, “I knew nothing about production. I didn’t even know what a printer, a press looked like.”
The Marshaks went on to start a newsletter to highlight events in the Tri-City area, which eventually grew into a full newspaper that covered events, government, business, local history and the East Bay’s diverse community. Bill was in charge of content, while Sharon did design, production, sales and marketing.
Bill had his opinions on what stories to include, but much of the paper’s “voice” comes from Sharon’s style. Part of the original vision was that the paper would let people know about events before they happened—and Sharon made sure the story was told visually as well as in words, using photos from previous years’ events or dress rehearsals so there was something fun to look at as well as read about.
Sharon always wanted us to use photos of people—all kinds of people having fun together. She especially loved including pictures of kids and young people to show that the community highlighted in the paper was for all ages. When I look back at the pages she designed, I see color, action and many eye-catching fonts.
She was in the office nearly every day, putting the 40-some pages together. Sometimes she had two assistants, sometimes only one. If the other person was out sick or on vacation, she would get the job done all by herself. The paper was a puzzle she had assembled so many times it was second nature.
She also did all this while dyslexic. We helped her catch typos, but sometimes one got past all of us to some embarrassment and much hilarity.
In addition to her work on the paper, Sharon was active in the community and supported progressive candidates.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that the paper was Sharon Marshak’s life for 20 years. Bill had freelancers and editors who could take over almost everything as his eyesight failed in later years. Sharon could and did do everything herself.
In the podcast, Sharon also recalled working at the paper, “24 hours a day, seven days a week, for 20 years.” She said, “We haven’t had a day off.”
As much as I appreciate how both Bill and Sharon started Tri-City Voice, which is now my own full-time job, I wish they had gotten more days off together.
Bill and family:
I am so sorry to hear of Sharon’s passing. You supported art in the Fremont Tri city community. I was fortunate to work closely with Sharon as I was a featured artist in one edition back in 1999 or 2000. Sharon even purchased a piece of my pottery. I miss the printed editions but continue following the online venue. I have very fond feelings in my heart for Sharon and Bill.
Bill,
I am truly heartbroken to hear of Sharon’s passing. You and Sharon meant so much to me, and I genuinely treasured the time I spent working with you both. I look back on my years at the Tri-City Voice with some of my fondest memories. Sharon was truly one of a kind, and you have both remained in my thoughts often.
Bill,
I am so sorry to hear about Sharon. It is so hard to believe that she is no longer here.
Both you and Sharon supported my “meet a Muslim” conversations by giving me free space in the Tri City Voice to advertise my events. It was Sharon who would help me put it together and work with me on it. If it wasn’t for you guys help, I wouldn’t have been able to go much far with my work.
You are in my thoughts and prayers!
I’m so sorry to hear about Sharon. Bill and Sharon were great supporters of both Stage 1 Theatre and Jewelry by Design. They made sure there was a reviewer that came to all the performances and attended shows when they could. We always had an ad in the Tri City Voice for Jewelry by Design and they were customers as well. Don’t think I’ve ever seen a couple that worked so hard, such long hours, and still deeply in love with each other! They had an amazing love for each other and for the community. Heaven has received another Angel, and there are plenty of other Angels for her to review. Rest well Sharon. ❤️
Bill, I’m so sorry for your loss…healing thoughts and prayers to you and the family.
I am sorry to hear about Sharon. I started writing for TCV in 2004 and was always impressed with the long and productive hours Bill and Sharon put in. Amazing team work. Their contribution to the local community was awesome. Rest in peace, Sharon. Bill, very sorry for your loss.
Bill,
Both Dirk and I are so heartbroken to hear of Sharon’s passing. You and Sharon were huge supporters of me at the Spotlight Cafe with my dinner theater, and then the Depot Cafe, as well as of Dirk and Fremont Flowers. Dirk and I have always credited you and Sharon for Dirk and I getting together over 25 years ago! You have highlighted so many businesses, non-profits and community events in our Tri-Cities, starting with the “What’s Happening” magazine and then the Tri-City Voice since the late 90’s, and we are a richer community because of you and Sharon.
You are in our thoughts and prayers and will forever be in our heart.
Our thoughts and prayers to the Marshak family in the loss of a dear, sweet, gal…Sharon.
We always had a nice visit when I would go into the office to change or update my ad….she took time for me and had great advice. I admired her hardwork and dedication to the paper!
Deepest sympathy to the family..
Sue and Lowell Johnson ❤️
Sending the Marshak family lots of love. May Sharon rest in peace. Many thanks to her for her support of the community over the years, and to Bill he carries on. 💕
I am truly sorry to hear of the passing of Sharon. She was a wonderful advocate for the community. She was a dedicated and loyal to the paper, the community and of course Bill. Everytime I pick up or read a copy of the TCV, I still think of her. I would pop in the office every now and then and, though she was always busy, she took the time to have a few words. This is the final chance to say goodbye to an incredible woman, she had style and a great smile and she will be missed. Thank you Bill for Sharon her with us and thank you Sharon for all that you have left behind.
Thank you for this heartfelt article remembering Sharon and Bill and all the work and love they dedicated to this magazine. I love the team work these two living people shared to others. Thank you Sharon for all your work. Best wishes Bill and my deepest sympathy for your loss and forward look to the future.
Christine
I’m feeling very saddened to have to bid farewell to Sharon from Tri-City Voice. She is an exceptional individual of remarkable integrity who truly viewed journalism and her newspaper as a vital community asset, dedicating herself fully to serving through this medium.
The Indo-American Community Federation (IACF) was privileged to honor the newspaper at our Annual Unity Dinner a few years ago, when both Bill and Sharon were present to accept the award.
They worked tirelessly to foster harmony as the Tri-City area grew increasingly diverse, always acknowledging that our organization stood as the sole Indo-American group dedicated to that specific mission and goal.
Her contributions and the legacy she built with Bill will be deeply missed.
I was very saddened to hear of Sharon’s passing. I think of her as so full of life and energy, and loved the relationship that she and Bill had, building this paper working side by side. My thoughts are with Bill today and hope he knows what a mark they made on the Fremont community.
I was very sad to hear of Sharon’s passing. I think of her as so full of life and vitality, and remember her and Bill always working tirelessly to build and grow their ‘baby’, this paper. My thoughts are with Bill today and hope he knows what a mark they left on the Fremont community.