Delia Mae Sharkey

Delia Mae Sharkey, age 92, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2016 in St. Anne Center, surrounded by her three loving nieces. She left us with peace in her heart, knowing she was well-prepared to begin her new life in heaven; her reward for a life well-lived in service to God, her church, her family and friends, and countless others whose lives were touched by her goodness and grace.
Del was born on March 18, 1924 to Lena (Dockery) Sharkey and Michael Sharkey, who emigrated from Roscommon County, Ireland. Del was immensely proud of her Irish heritage, and her Catholic faith and was rarely seen without a cross, a shamrock, or one of her many Guardian Angel pins adorning her collar. Del grew up in Rockford with her siblings, Michael, Helen, and Jack, graduated from Muldoon High School, and was a lifelong member of St. James Catholic Church.
Work, volunteerism, family and faith were at the forefront of Del’s long and meaningful life. For over 25 years, Del worked for Illinois Bell Telephone Company, holding training and management positions, until her retirement in 1981. She then spent several years with Bergner’s, working in both Customer Service and their Distribution Center Warehouse. Because of her love of people and entertaining, you could also find Del offering up her time to local grocery stores on weekends as the ‘food demo lady’.
Del had a passion for helping others and chose to spend her retirement years in service to those less fortunate. She gave tirelessly of herself whenever called to do so and volunteered for many years with VNA Hospice of Rockford after seeing firsthand the loving care they provided in the passing of her brother, Jack. Other organizations touched by the goodness of Del were the Cornucopia Food Bank where she helped provide food to the hungry of Rockford; and Northern Illinois Blood Bank where she was fondly known as the ‘cookie lady’ providing comfort, caring and refreshments to those who donated.
Del was a good soul, who loved a good laugh, and a good book. An evening of potluck and playing cards, followed by a campfire with great friends and neighbors, were among her favorite pastimes. She loved her cats, Tootie and Jazzy, her mashed potatoes and gravy, asparagus and anything chocolate. She enjoyed a good Bloody Mary, a beer, and venturing out for a bit of riverboat gambling, bus trips to Branson, or watching her favorite Cubs play ball. All of her pleasures were simple, but there was nothing simple about the indelible mark she left upon the world through her selfless gifts of love and kindness.
Del was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Helen; and brothers, Michael and Jack, all of whom she took into her home and cared for during their times of sickness and death. She leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her three nieces, Kathy (Dan) Durst; Laurie Sharkey Scott; and Margaret (Jim) Buhl; along with her great nephew Peyton D. Durst; great nieces, Sydney Durst; and Taylor and Georgia Buhl; in addition to her extended family of Kovandas and Dursts, and many loving friends and neighbors (Jody Yankowitz) who adored her.
Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00am Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at St. James Catholic Church, 428 N. 2nd Street, Rockford, IL; immediately followed by a Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Del’s favorite, Father David Beauvais. Friends and family are invited to gather for lunch and fellowship in honor of Del at the church banquet hall immediately following mass. Entombment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice of Rockford, 4223 E. State Street, Rockford, IL.