Sharon Murphy Marchese

SHARON MURPHY MARCHESE: LOVING WIFE, MOTHER, SISTER, NANA, AUNT, FRIEND
Sharon Marchese loved her husband, Tony, and expressed both verbally and by actions that he was her best friend. She loved her 3 children, her 3 grandchildren and all of her family and friends.
Mary Sharon Ann Murphy was born May 18, 1940 in Cobalt, Ontario, Canada to Ambrose and Mary Cecilia Murphy. She was the first in her family to be born in a hospital and the youngest of 7 siblings. She grew up in the St Patrick's Parish neighborhood, a Girl Guide who watched the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at the movie theater, and attended the parade in North Bay in the queens honor. She attended boarding school at St. Joseph's College in North Bay, Ontario then trained at Hotel Dieu Hospital in Windsor, Ontario, as a surgical and medical nurse. Upon graduation, Sharon stayed in Windsor and started her career as a public health visiting nurse.
Sharon and Tony met through mutual friends and family. They married in 1965 and had 56 years of marital bliss – the happiest years of their lives. They raised their children, traveled, and enjoyed every moment.
Sharon and Tony moved to Bloomfield Hills and joined St Hugo Parish.Sharon was a true volunteer. A former President of the Altar Guild, a member of the Mission Circle, a school nurse volunteer every year of her kids schooling, and head of the nurses clinic at Lahser High School for years: One of many ways she met and got to know all of her kids classmates – everyone knew Mrs. Marchese.
Sharon raised her kids in the Hickory Grove subdivision. Surrounded by families with kids close in age they grew up together and these families became lifetime friends.
The Marchese family had dinner together every evening where etiquette was learned in a hilarious atmosphere of questions and storytelling. A mother of the generation that had the kids go back out after dinner until dark – playing games, sports, or just riding bikes, as long as the kids would "Remember you're a Marchese."
Sharon's family was her proudest achievement: her children Anne, Molly, and Anthony III. She adored her grandchildren: Thomas Sawyer III, Norah Sawyer, and Anthony (Oneeno) Augustus Marchese. She loved her many nieces and nephews, so close in age, they were more like siblings.
She made every effort to get to all the family weddings. Family was everything to her and she liked to document it. She would have Tony bring his camera and tripod to gatherings to get a picture of everyone together and then make sure everyone received copies.
Sharon was a master craftsman. Sewing her and her children's clothing into the 80s. An expert at needlepoint, cross-stitch, knitting, and crochet, her cushions and baby layettes donated to the Altar and the parish. Today her pieces remain proudly displayed in all her family's homes.
As her kids grew independent, she became a licensed travel agent. She and Tony used this as an opportunity to travel the world. Always benefiting from her agent's Child (companion) discount. Sharon loved her caftans and scarves and wore a hat whenever the opportunity arose. Donning a hat or fascinator to view royal weddings, funerals and coronations, she would make tea, scones, and roll out her Mum's silver service and china.
Sharon is survived by her children Anne, Molly, and Anthony, her grandchildren Thomas, Norah, and Oneeno, many nieces and nephews, plus countless others that were not related, but were always made to feel like family.
Funeral Mass Tuesday, June 27, 10 AM at St. Hugo of the Hills Stone Chapel, 2215 Opdyke Rd, Bloomfield Hills. Visitation at the church begins at 9:30 AM.
Memorial Tributes to Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 820 Mount Elliot St., Detroit, MI 48207.