Geraldine Gerry Lee Sharp Messick

was suddenly lifted to Heaven by her Guardian Angel to be united with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and The Most Holy Virgin Mary on Friday, October 1, 2010 at 7:23 a.m. Geraldine was born May 4, 1922 in San Antonio, TX., daughter of Roy Lee Sharp (Leonard, TX) and Josephine Conigliaro Sharp (New York, N.Y.) She was baptized June 30, 1925 at St. Anthony Catholic Church (Beaumont, TX) by Msgr. Edward Kelly. Moved to N.Y., N.Y. with her parents and her brother (Robert Lee Sharp) in 1925. She graduated from Bay Ridge High School (Brooklyn, N.Y.) in 1940. When World War II began, her father taught her how to use a Micrometer so that she could make Bomb Scopes and other equipment at Sperry Gyroscope for military aircraft. Following the end of World War II, she attended a business college learning accounting and secretarial skills. She was employed at Batten, Barton, Durstein, & Osborne serving as executive secretary for Catherine Frankenstein of the world’s largest advertising agency which is now known as OmniCom Int’l. She left that firm and performed secretarial duties at Simon & Schuster Publishing & U.S. Steel in N.Y. City. She resided with her parents and brother in Hicksville, Long Island, N.Y. Married Joseph Nalewanski in 1943 and gave birth to son, Kenneth Allen Nalewanski – July 31, 1943. In 1946 she moved to Dallas with her parents, brother, and son. She was employed at the Southland Corp. serving as a secretary for Mr. Thompson and his son, Jerry Thompson, as well as Mr. Leonard and Mr. Harrison at the former Haskell Ave. Corporate Office. On August 24, 1947 she married Joseph M. Messick, Jr. She gave birth to five (5) children: Roy L. Messick (Dec. 29, 1949), Lorraine A. Messick (April 11, 1957), Steven J. Messick (August 25, 1959), Kevin M. Messick (Dec. 17, 1960), and Brian R. Messick (Feb. 5, 1963). Our Mother was a parishioner of St. Edward Catholic Church (Dallas). Participated as a Cub Scout Den Mother, actively assisted with the Boy Scouts, Explorer Scouts, church carnivals, fund raising, cooking and baking for Msgr. John Brady, Sisters of St. Mary, and other school/church functions. She was dedicated to her Patron and Confirmation Saint, St. Therese. She was affectionately called “Gerry”, “Sharpie”, and “Miss New York” by her closest friends. She is preceded in death by her father, mother, brother, and two (2) sons (Ken & Steven). She is survived by three (3) sons: Roy, Kevin, Brian; daughter Lorraine (Dallas); three (3) grandsons: Justin Shuford (Newport Richey, FL), Jason & Austin Messick (Burleson, TX); granddaughter Melissa Shuford Meraz (Dallas); granddaughter Heather Messick (Garland, TX); great grandson Christopher Meraz (Dallas); nephews and nieces; sister-in-law Margaret I. Sharp (Sulphur Springs, TX).

Visitation at Sparkman/Crane, Tuesday, October 5, 2010, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Funeral Mass, 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at St. Edward Catholic Church, 4005 Elm Street, Dallas. Rev. Roberto Merced, O.P., celebrant.

Entombment Calvary Hill Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements by:

Sparkman/Crane Funeral Home

10501 Garland Road

Dallas, Texas 75218

214-327-8291