Patty Lou (Sharkey) Sharkey

Patty Lou Sharkey, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away on Saturday afternoon, April 6, 2024, at her home. She was surrounded by love, laughter, and a bucket of tears. At 89 years old, Patty had seen it all and left a trail of joy wherever she went.

Born in Goshen, Indiana on December 29, 1934, Patty came into this world ready to spice things up. She was the offspring of Carl and Alberta Sharkey, who surely never had a dull moment with Patty around. Patty married Keith E. Sweazy, but even he couldn't keep up with her vibrant personality, so they later divorced. From this union, they blessed the world with four kids of whom she was very proud. They are: Linda (Thomas) Wilson, Valerie St. Germain, Charrise (Mike) McCrorey, Jeffrey S. (Nancy) Sweazy. Twelve grandchildren called her Grandma Pat (plus many adopted grands because that’s just how big her heart was). Her grandchildren are Melissa (Tom) Kavanagh, Dustin Coleman, Scott (Becky) Coleman, Matt (Noriko) Wilson, Aaron (Jessy) Wilson, Adam Wilson, Ryan (Nikea Jamison) St. Germain, Emily (Josh Mills) St. Germain, Megan McCrorey, Keith (Melissa) McCrorey, Jackson Sweazy, and Paige Sweazy. 

Patty’s great-grandchildren were fortunate to have so much time with her. They are: Ethan, Andrew, and Elizabeth Kavanagh, Noah and Kathryn Coleman, Caiden and Liliana St. Germain, Devon and Kayla Jamison, Grace Gage, Louis and Lincoln Sellden, and Rowan and Gavin McCrorey. Heck, she even had one great-great-grandchild (Leilani Jamison), whom she loved instantly and was a frequent joy during her last days.

She is survived by her brother, Dennis (Vicki) Sharkey; her sister, Mae (Jim deceased) Swafford and her sister-in-law, Karen Sharkey. In addition to her parents and husband, her brother, Frank Sharkey preceded her in death. 

Patty was a hard and dedicated worker. In her early days, she worked at Elkhart Packing, CTS, and Metal Forming. She served drinks and food as a waitress and bartender manager at Kulesia's Restaurant in Vandalia, Michigan for two whole decades. Lifelong friendships developed during this work. She greeted travelers with her giant smile at Cracker Barrel in Elkhart for around 10 years, and made many friends there too. After keeping the food industry afloat with her charm and good looks, she began corralling kids at Kingdom Kids Day Care at Faith United Methodist church, where she was a member. She retired from there after two failed attempts to retire earlier in her life.

Patty was a proud 1952 graduate of Concord High School where she was a cheerleader and played clarinet in the band. 

Her life revolved around her family and grandchildren. She loved calling every family member on their birthday and singing Happy Birthday to them. She also loved sending cards in the mail and in later years some of them were pretty funny. She had a sunny disposition and enjoyed celebrating every holiday with the family, with carry-in dinners and way more food than was needed, lots of laughter, and kids everywhere. 

She was a generous person, always thinking of what she could buy for her family. Each Christmas, even when it was financially difficult as her family grew, she gave every single family member an envelope with money. She loved fiercely and was loyal to the end.

Patty loved watching sports. She even played a few - a short stint playing golf in a league, and she even took up downhill skiing (not a huge success). She especially loved the Chicago Cubs. When they won, you could hear her singing the “Go Cubs Go” song loudly and proudly. The family gave her season tickets to the South Bend Cubs games, and many times, family members enjoyed going to those games with her. Patty loved Notre Dame football and added fun to every tailgate party. 

Her enthusiasm for life spilled over into everything she did. Patty was an affectionate, happy, and loving soul, who lived life fully and gratefully, and passed on that love of life to her family. Her smile lit up every room she ever graced with her presence. She had a sense of humor that always kept people laughing. It was dry and sarcastic – quick-witted even through the fog of dementia in her later years. Her family will miss so many of those laughs.

Join us in celebrating Patty's incredible life at Billings Funeral Home on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Bring your best jokes, your fondest memories, and maybe a tissue or two. Per Patty's request, we'll be laughing, crying, and remembering the whirlwind of joy she brought into our lives. 

Cremation was her final choice because even in death, she wanted to make things easier for her children. Burial will take place at Sugar Grove Cemetery in Goshen, but let's be honest, Patty's spirit will be too busy spreading joy to stay put for long.

Chaplain Scott Brown (whom she won over easily during his Hospice visits), of Corewell Health Hospice will officiate. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 p.m. until service time at 6:00 p.m. to laugh, cry, and remember all the wonderful stories of her full and rich life.  

The family kindly requests memorial donations to either; Cass County Council on Aging, 60525 Decatur Rd., Cassopolis, MI 49031 (where she had many fun times with their Adult Day Services Program), https://www.casscoa.org/support-your-cass-county-coa or Corewell Health Hospice & Palliative Care (formerly Caring Circle), 4025 Health Park Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085, https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/caring-circle/get-involved/how-to-give

Please join the family in honoring her life by visiting the Billings Funeral Home website to share a memory or a condolence with her family. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patty Lou (Sharkey) Sharkey, please visit our floral store.