Sharon 'Sharie' (Stark) Skally

• 

Skally (Stark), Sharon "Sharie" Beloved Mom, Bayma/Grandma Sharie passed away from cancer surrounded by family on Memorial Day, May 27, 2019. She was born in Rush City, lived in Russell, and settled in St. Paul. We often focus on degrees and resumes but Sharie didn't live life that way. She would remember your job interview or test, your birthday and days when you needed extra encouragement. She was always there with a card (she could find the perfect Peanuts cartoon or rainbow photo, and would personalize it even for having wisdom teeth out); balloons with your name written in Sharpie; a well-timed "thinking of you" call; a stuffed unicorn or pink bear to make you smile; or a trip to one of her kids' dorm rooms (MN, WI, AZ) to help unpack or find a lost pet. She remembered students' and residents' names because she cared, not because her memory could beat us all. She stayed after hours to help comfort patients and to help students complete their assignments. Everyone was unique and worthy to Sharie, and her whole life centered around making a difference, person by person. She had a B.S. from Augustana College in Nursing, as well as certification in teaching and as a home health aide. She worked for Ramsey County Nursing Service, Greater St. Paul Home Services, Episcopal Church Home, and Rakhma, Inc.; taught at Saint Paul College for almost two decades; and volunteered, including the pilot program for Living at Home (Block Nurse). Sharie is preceded in death by parents Theodore and Ethel Stark; daughter Anne Marie; Yorkies (yappy but cute dogs) Misty, Tinkerbell, and Lucky; "granddogs" Henry, Chelsea, Duke, and Cedar; Aunt Edna Minar and Uncle Stan Minar; Aunt Betty and Uncle Bob Stark; Uncle Al Stark; and Leora Stark. She is remembered and survived by daughter Michelle Skally Doilney and husband Jim; daughter Rebecca Skally and husband John Stanley, grandchildren Molly and George, granddog Zoe, grandrabbit Darryl; son Chad Skally and wife Shannon, grandchildren Leif, Sage and Quin, and granddog Sierra; brother David Stark; Aunt Lois Stark; many loved cousins; lifelong friends; people she nursed and the students she taught at Saint Paul College. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Rakhma (homes for people with Alzheimer's disease) rakhma.org for their GiveMN link. Celebration of Life open house on Sunday, June 23, 2-6 PM at O'Halloran & Murphy, 575 South Snelling Ave. in St. Paul. Condolences: caringbridge.org/visit/… This sums up Sharie's life and how she lived it. May you so be inspired. "Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about his religion. Respect others in their views and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, and beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and of service to your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, or even a stranger, if in a lonely place. Show respect to all people, but grovel to none. When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home." Attributed to Tecumseh (1768-1813) Shawnee Chief O'Halloran & Murphy 651-698-0796

Published on June 12, 2019