Virginia Sharp

Virginia Gallaher Sharp, age 94, a resident of Fairhaven Christian Retirement Home in Rockford, Il, was called home to be with the Lord on March 1, 2025. She lived a life deeply rooted in faith, devoted to Christ, and guided by the teachings of the Holy Bible.
Born on August 20, 1930, in Richmond, VA, Virginia was the only child of Charles and Doris Gallaher. She met her future husband, Edward Sharp, in seventh grade. She went on to attend the College of William & Mary, graduating in 1952 with a degree in Elementary Education.
Following Dr. Sharp's residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Ed and Virginia relocated to Rockford, along with their two young daughters, Susan and Mary. In Rockford, Ed established a distinguished career as a prominent heart surgeon, while Virginia dedicated herself to raising their growing family, which now included two additional daughters, Ann and Kathy. She approached motherhood with the same love and devotion that defined every aspect of her life, nurturing her children in faith and teaching them to love, serve and trust in the Lord.
Virginia enjoyed participating with the Good Time Singers, bird watching and knitting countless hats and mittens for children in need. She volunteered in numerous community organizations, including Young Life, Bible Study Fellowship, Community Bible Study, Rockvale Children's Home and her church. As a parent and grandparent, she was always the first to volunteer when there was a need with Girl Scouts, church choir and a variety of other clubs and activities.
She loved spending time near the water, thoroughly enjoying vacations to places like St. Maarten and Cabo San Lucas. But her favorite place in the world was Green Lake, WI, where she spent many summers over the past 30 years. She found Green Lake to be an oasis of peaceful serenity, albeit frequently and wonderfully interrupted by joyful (and enthusiastically loud) family gatherings.
Virginia's 11 grandchildren were her greatest joy, and she treated them all uniquely while loving them equally. The grandchildren often asked their beloved G-Ma which one was her "favorite grandchild". She affectionately refused to answer, but the adoring way she treated each grandchild gave them all absolute certainly that they must be her favorite. Later in life, Virginia was blessed with four great grandchildren, who will miss her dearly, as will all the others who knew and loved her.
Virginia took great joy and comfort in the knowledge that all four of her daughters know the Lord and have walked in faith throughout their lives. Her greatest desire was that her grandchildren and great grandchildren will likewise live a life of faith. Of all Virginia's many accomplishments, her most significant is the legacy of a life deeply rooted in Christ that she left for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She epitomized the words of Matthew 25:23 "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Virginia was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Ed. She is survived by her four daughters, Sue (Paul) Anker, Mary (Tim) MacKenzie, Ann (Terry) Gulley and Kathy (David) Passinault; her 11 grandchildren, Sarah (Ben Borris) Anker, Elizabeth Anker, Lindsay (Damon) Vinciguerra, Kelly (Adam Cleland) MacKenzie, Sam (Chelsea) MacKenzie, Chelsea (Tyrone) Garrett, Terrance (Noelle) Gulley, Nathan Passinault, Claire Passinault, Rachel Passinault, and Aaron Passinault; and her four great grandchildren, Jack Vinciguerra, Ava Vinciguerra, Indigo Garrett and Penelope Garrett. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Don (Helen) Sharp.
A celebration of Virginia's life will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Stateline Church (601 N. Perryville Rd. Rockford, IL) where we will gather to honor her memory and rejoice in the promise of everlasting life, with a visitation at 2:30 p.m. until time of service. A reception will follow in the church's Fellowship Hall during which Virginia's absolute favorite food, ice cream, will be served in her honor.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center, Young Life and Rock House Kids. To share a memory or condolence, please visit oslonfh.com