Ann (Dauzy) Sharkey

Ann Sharkey, age 85, of Munising, died unexpectedly on Friday morning, September 1, 2017 at the Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, Illinois.  She was born in Munising on February 13, 1932 to Edward and Florence “Flossie” (Gollinger) Dauzy.  Ann graduated from Sacred Heart School and then during high school worked at the Ben Franklin.  Ann was a member of the Wm. G. Mather High School Class of 1951. After high school, she went to work for Denman’s Department Store working for both Con and Bob Denman and the Rexall Drug Store.  Ann married the love of her life George “Cuffo” Sharkey on November 21, 1953 and began raising their family.   Together they owned and operated Sharkey’s Flower Shop from 1970 until 1974.  Ann then went to work in 1980 for the Munising Public Schools as a teacher’s aide.  Ann worked many years in the classrooms, playground and lunchroom.  She was strict, but the students loved her and she enjoyed staying in contact with the students as they grew into adults.  She retired in 1992.  Ann and Cuffo enjoyed spending winters in Crystal River, Florida and in the 1970’s they enjoyed snowmobiling and dancing together at the Knotty Club, Sylvan Inn, and Beaver Park.  Ann also enjoyed golfing in the ladies’ league at Pictured Rocks Golf Course and she was a serious Bingo player at the Knights of Columbus Hall and Moose Lodge.

Ann was a member of the National Catholic Society of Foresters and a lifelong faithful member of Sacred Heart Church who loved the parish.   She had a beautiful and strong faith that gave her grace through many difficult trials during her life.   Ann endured the deaths of three of her children and always knew and believed that someday she would be reunited with them.  Her faith in Christ also gave her the strength to fight her breast cancer diagnosis in 2004 and to always be grateful for her survivorship.

Ann loved having her family around.  She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend.  The kitchen was central to caring for her family and she was happiest when she could bake cookies and cook for them.   Ann especially enjoyed having her grandsons around and opening up her home for the 4th of July.    Ann and Cuffo shared a special relationship and she enjoyed taking care of him and spending time with him.

Ann is survived by her loving husband of over 63 years – George Sharkey of Munising; their son and daughter-in-law – Steve and Laura Sharkey of Island Lake, IL; grandsons – Ryan and Emily Sharkey of Wauconda, IL and Mitchell Sharkey of Marquette; sister – Claire Sangraw of Manistique; sisters-in-law – Carol Dauzy, Lois Taylor, Pauline Sharkey, Pat Wester, JoAnn Cromell, Judy (Butch) Patient; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents Ed and Flossie Dauzy, children – Greg, Bobby, and Renee Sharkey, brother – Paul Dauzy, sisters – Jean (Jim) Hoholik, Lois (Toby) Eimerman, Dorothy (Norm) Underwood, parents-in-law – Ed and Bea Sharkey, brothers-in-law and sister-in-law – Clarice Sharkey, Robert “Linko” Sharkey, Red Taylor, Dick Wester, Mike Cromell, and Jim Sangraw.

Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising on Tuesday evening from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m  Father Chris Gardiner will celebrate Ann’s Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Church on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising.

Memorials in Ann’s name are requested to be made to the Eric Beverly Family Foundation.