Shirley J. Sharpsteen

GROTON < Shirley J. Sharpsteen, 63, of Peruville Road, Groton, passed away Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008, at Auburn Memorial Hospital surrounded by her loving family. Shirley was born Aug. 10, 1945 in Auburn, a daughter of Frank and Jane Cruthers Andrews and was a former resident of Moravia, Cortland and North Carolina. She had lived in Groton for the past 20 years. She was a graduate of Moravia Central School, Class of 1962; The Auburn Hospital School of Nursing, and had been employed as a registered nurse with the Howd Nursing Home, Moravia and Cape Fear Valley Hospital in North Carolina. She was most recently employed with Challenge Industries in Ithaca until her illness. She enjoyed flowers, watching and feeding the birds, antique hunting, and was an avid fan of sports, mainly NASCAR, golf and tennis. But mostly she enjoyed spending time with her immediate family and her grand- and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her longtime companion, Howard Makela, of Groton; two sons, Steven (Dawn Reeves) Sharpsteen, of Locke, and Jeffrey (Susan) Sharpsteen, of Cortland; a daughter, Kimberly Sharpsteen-Hooper, of Locke; seven grandchildren, Nicole, Heather, Jessica, Samantha, Christina, Kelsie and Kaden; five great-grandchildren; her mother, Jane Andrews, of Moravia; brother, Robert (Linda) Andrews, of Scipio; sisters, Glenda (Tom) Brown, of Weedsport, and Marlene Marks (Jim Salva), of Auburn; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father, Frank Andrews; a brother, Richard Andrews; and a sister, Lorraine Andrews. Funeral services will be held at noon Tuesday, Sept. 23, in the Wade Funeral Home, 22 Church St., Moravia. Burial will be in Bird Cemetery, Locke. Calling hours will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, prior to the funeral service. Memorial contributions can be sent to The Audubon Society or Victory Junction Gang Camp. (address available at funeral home) To send a message to the family, sign our guest book at www.auburnpub.com and click on obituaries.