Sharon L. McNamara

SOUTH DENNIS — Sharon L. McNamara died peacefully on Aug. 19, 2008, at Eagle Pond Living Center in South Dennis. She was 63. Born Oct. 21, 1944, in New Haven Conn., Sharon lived with her family in Brooklyn, White Plains and Valhalla, N.Y., until her father, J. Arthur "Mac" McNamara, passed away in 1978. She then moved to Cape Cod with her mother, Eleanor.

Sharon finished second grade and life skill classes through cooperative educational services when available. Throughout her adult life, Sharon worked very hard at Reader's Digest, sorting contest returns, at Alexander's department store as a wrapper, and for the last 11 years as a star employee at Shaw's supermarket in Harwich Port.

She has been supported by outstanding caregivers, especially Floyd McIntyre, M.D., and since 1991 mental health professionals Maureen Cavicchi and Phyllis Laudani of DMR and The ARC of Cape Cod. Most recently, the constant, capable and cheerful staffs of Eagle Pond and Beacon Hospice saw to her well-being and comfort.

During her lifetime, Sharon participated in the daily life routines of greeting neighbors, enjoying morning coffee, packing grocery bags for her customers, banking and, as often as possible, dining with her family at their homes or out at any number of her favorite local spots. She received sacraments and attended Mass at Holy Trinity in West Harwich.

Over the years she crossed paths with hundreds of people, remarkably remembering all their names and their children's accomplishments. She included everyone in her lively conversations which were often humorous and easy to hear. Her most treasured achievements were learning to drive, saving money to buy her own car and living independently. To mark her 60th birthday, she enjoyed three different island vacations of her choosing: Atlantis, Bermuda, and in 2006, a cruise around Hawaii where she drank Pina Coladas and sat on the top deck to sun.

She leaves her mother, Eleanor M. McNamara, sisters Betse (Gori), Geraldine, Deidre and Susan Q. McNamara; beloved brother-in-law Dominic Gori; nephews Michael Gori and his wife, Deborah, of Florida, Peter Gori of Boston and Michael Cemprola of Connecticut. She loved and often visited her aunts and uncles in Clinton, Conn., Pat and Bob Garty and Joanne and John McCarty.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 8, followed by interment at Island Pond Cemetery in Harwich Center. Contributions in Sharon's memory may be made to The ARC of Cape Cod, P.O. Box 428, Hyannis, MA 02601.