Joyce Laurel Sharpe

Joyce Laurel Sharpe, 66, of Ithaca, New York, passed away in Oneonta, New York on May 2, 2019, following a long illness. Joyce (Laurie, as she is known by family) was born, June 28, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan to Thomas Hugh Sharpe and Rita Cecilia (Nicholson) Sharpe. She is the eldest of six brothers and sisters. She attended Immaculata High School (Class of 1970), and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree (1974) from Michigan State University from the School of Social Work. While she lived in Michigan she was employed as a medical social worker for at least two decades before she moved to Oneonta in 2006. Joyce earned a reputation as an excellent social worker because she cared about the needs of her clients and their families. Her spiritual and personal legacy was one of faith, hope, and love. Joyce was a prayer warrior. She prayed for our family, her church, friends, strangers, and our nation. Her friends and family admired her tenacity of faith in the Lord, and her daily commitment to prayer with her prayer partners, despite the fact that her health was failing. Her church family remembers Joyce’s love of dance and worship of the Lord. They appreciated her words of encouragement, and her testimonies of God’s many blessings in her life. Illness did not quench her spirit and love of her Savior, Jesus Christ. Joyce was a grandmother to all of the little children and teens in her church. They gravitated to her because they saw that she loved them and could relate to them. She is a dear sister in Christ, and beloved friend to many who knew her well, and who loved her unconditionally. She was also a multi-talented person: she played the mandolin, sang classical art songs, and had a heart for people in need. Joyce Laurel Sharpe leaves behind several siblings: Cyril Sharpe (pre-deceased), Yolanda Sharpe, Thomas Sharpe, Mary Lisa Jones, and Catherine Olivia Gardner; nieces and nephews: Cecilia Sharpe, Michael Gardner, Duane Gardner, Jr., Grace Gardner, Celia Jones, Benjamin Jones, Nicholas Jones, and Zachary Jones; aunt and uncle: Mary Douglas, and Joseph Lateef; and many cousins. Service arrangements for the funeral are: Calling Hours – May 15, 10:00-11:00 am at Lester Grummon's Funeral Home, 14 Grand Street, Oneonta, NY. A funeral mass will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 39 Walnut Street at 12 noon. The graveside burial begins after 1:00 pm at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. The family invites attending guests to join them for food and refreshments at the St. Mary’s school gym across the street from the church. A special thanks to Rev. Fr. David Mickiewicz and St. Mary’s parish for their generous work and help with everything. We appreciate the Mass and liturgy that was given by Fr. Mickiewicz too. Thank you, music ministry of St. Mary’s. We especially appreciate the Hospitality Ministry of St. Mary’s for their work and provisions for our reception. Also, thank you, Pastor Mitch, for your eulogy.