Verna "Becky" Sharp
October 18, 2011

Verna Sharp, known to all as Becky, died peacefully Oct. 7 at the home she loved on the Fox River. Becky never would tell a soul her birthday because she never wanted to be regarded as less than brim full of life. Family members remain confused about her age. Her elusive birth certificate, finally discovered tucked away in a drawer, lists her birth date as June 4, 19114. She was the daughter of Frank and Amanda Cartier of Green Bay. She married her West High School sweetheart, Donald A. Sharp, on Dec. 21, 1935, and was married to him for 48 years until his death in 1983. They lived in Green Bay all their lives. Becky was at the vibrant center of their family of three children and six grandchildren, a rich community of friends, a heritage of community service. She had a way of making every event into a party, loved banter and a wry joke, often accompanied by a knowing wink or a sideways look. From her cocktail napkins to her cook's aprons, she refused to let life stop short of humorous. She was most vividly alive when seated at the piano playing by ear tunes of George Gershwin or Johnny Mercer with others gathered round in harmonizing song. She loved to dress up. Her scrapbooks are full of pictures of costume events of the Moon Valley Ski Club and the Brown County Historical Society held at Oneida Golf and Riding Club and stately dances of the Neighborly Club. The Oneida club was a vital part of her life. She loved to play the game of golf with friends and became quite accomplished, winning her flight in club and Northeastern Wisconsin tournaments. Becky and Don loved to travel with friends, making trips to ski and golf and tour abroad. She attended Lawrence College where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She served as kindergarten teacher in Green Bay before her marriage. As a member of the Pan-Hellenic Society, she worked to bring live theater to Green Bay schools. She also was active in the Service League, the Gray Ladies of the Red Cross and the YWCA. For years she worked for the preservation of Tank Cottage. Becky is survived by her three children, Stephanie (Robert) Newell, Cedar River, MI.; Mary (Tom) Torinus, Baileys Harbor; and Donald A. (Shirley) Sharp Jr. Atlanta, GA.; six grandchildren, Mary Kathryn (Marc) Becker, Christopher Robert Newell, Alexandra Torinus, Elizabeth (Chris) Horner, Donald A. Sharp, III, and Bradley Sharpe; two great-grandchildren, Kathryn Becker and Will Horner; and one sister-in-law, Kay Cartier, Green Bay. She was preceded in death by her brother, Glenn Cartier. Becky's family will receive friends after 10 AM Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004, at First Presbyterian Church, 200 S. Ashland Ave., Green Bay, where her life will be remembered and celebrated in a memorial service at 11 AM with the Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Shive officiating. Lyndahl Funeral Home is serving the family. The family expresses its immense gratitude to Lorraine Schroeder, Becky's housekeeper and friend of 21 years, and to a team of dedicated caregivers who make the last years of her life graceful and who also came to be her friends; Mary Gagnon, Joan Bauder, Gloria Blauert, Mary Jo Jacque, Peg Millet, Joanne Piepenberg, Barbara Richmond, Mary Jo Solie and also Dolores Couillard and Barbara Skenadore. The family is most thankful for Becky's neighbors in her condominium building, who truly became a caring community for her when she needed them. A memorial fund has been established for the Heritage Foundation in Green Bay.

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