A mother and a wife, she spent her recent years battling cancer. But her life, the majority of which was spent helping others, was cut short after a two-car accident just before noon on Tuesday.

Forty-five-year-old Sharon McMullen, of Albany, was killed when a cement truck crushed her car on State Route 56, about six miles west of Athens.

Her husband, Bruce McMullen, only could say that he remembers her as a caring and loving person.

"She was one that did things for others," he said. "She was one to help anyone that she could. She was very kind-hearted, and she would help in any way possible."

That helpfulness and caring attitude Sharon McMullen's husband remembers was evident the day she died.

"The thing I can really remember right now is where she was going when she was leaving New Marshfield," Bruce McMullen said. "She was trying to help get a boy established in school from transferring from another school."

Sharon McMullen gave her time to helping others in any way that she was able.

"She just gave herself to others. There is no question there. She is just one that gave," Bruce McMullen said. "She wasn't the richest person in the world, but she was in her heart."

Sharon McMullen is survived by her husband; a son, Bryon; a nephew - raised in her home - William Boring; her father, John Cronk; a brother, Timothy Cronk; and two sisters, Tina Grant and Teresa Cronk. Her mother, Ann (Kerr) Cronk, is deceased.

Funeral arrangements have been made with Bigony-Jordan Funeral Home in Albany. The service will be Friday at 3 p.m. with Elder Jonathan Pollard officiating. Burial will be in Hanning Cemetery. Visitation will be today from 7 to 9 p.m., and memorials may be made in flowers.

John C. Witham, 38, of Athens, was driving a cement truck owned by B and D Ready Mix, Inc., of Hamden, when the accident occurred. Witnesses said he flipped end-over-end, crushing Sharon McMullen's 1988 Pontiac Grand Am.

Witham was flown by Med Flight to Grant Medical Center in Columbus. A Grant spokesperson said that at press time, Watham was in fair condition.

Ohio State Highway Patrol officers still are investigating the accident, spokesmen said. A crash reconstruction crew was at the scene today, working on the accident.