Sharon Whipple Selke

Sharon is survived by her devoted husband of 63 years, Lynn A. Selke; her son, Andrew Selke of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; her daughter, Dr. Laura Selke of Rochester; her beloved grandchildren, Raimund and Serene; and her sister, Stephanie Schuler of Jenison, Michigan. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Carrie Tisdale of Florida, Kim Van Oeffelin of Michigan, Gail Russo, Paul Selke, and Janice Kaseman, all of Rochester. She was predeceased by her parents, Jean Conner Whipple and Ralph Alfred Whipple.

Born September 27, 1941, in Germantown, Pennsylvania, Sharon grew up in several locations, including Erie, Pennsylvania, as her father pursued a career with Xerox Corporation. In 1960, she entered the University of Rochester to study nursing. During her first week of classes, she met Lynn, beginning a courtship filled with shared study sessions and evenings listening to Johnny Mathis records at the Theta Delta Chi fraternity house. In the spring of 1961, Lynn was the commander of the winning Naval ROTC company, and Sharon had the special honor of pinning the colors on the flag during the military review. Not long afterward, Lynn gave Sharon his fraternity pin. Lynn graduated in June 1961, and the couple became engaged after he returned from the Navy in early 1962. They married on July 13, 1963, while Sharon was still completing nursing school.

Sharon earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1964 and began her career with the Visiting Nurse Service of Rochester. She loved caring for patients in their homes, where her nursing skills and natural compassion brought comfort to those in need.

In 1965, Sharon and Lynn built their home in Fairport, where they raised Andrew, born in 1967, and Laura, born in 1971. While Lynn pursued his career at Eastman Kodak, Sharon devoted herself to raising their children and creating a loving home. She treasured her friendships with neighbors, especially Marian Nelson, Carol Spector, and Julie Alfieri. Later, she returned to nursing part-time at Crest Manor Nursing Home, where her gentle manner and concern for others continued to shine.

The family enjoyed camping, bicycle rides, neighborhood adventures, and vacations, especially in Siesta Key, Florida, and Ocean City, New Jersey. After Lynn’s retirement, he and Sharon divided their time between Florida and Rochester, where Sharon was especially happy to have her mother, Jean, spend part of each year with them.

Faith was important to Sharon. Sharon and Lynn attended Downtown United Presbyterian Church and Asbury First United Methodist Church, finding friendship and fellowship in both communities. She also enjoyed listening to and talking with members of Lynn’s bands, including the Fairport Fire Department Band, the University of Rochester Wind Symphony and Brass Choir, and the Victor Pops Band.

In later years, Sharon and Lynn moved from their longtime Fairport home to a senior independent living community in Victor, beginning a new chapter together. Sharon particularly enjoyed the simple pleasures of being pampered, including her massages from Val and having her hair done by Linda. These were special moments she always looked forward to.

Above all, Sharon was a people person who made others feel welcomed, valued, and loved. She delighted in conversation and rarely missed an opportunity to offer a smile or hug. Her family was the center of her world, and she took immense pride and joy in her husband, children, and grandchildren.

Sharon and her family always loved animals, and their dogs over the past 63 years included a dachshund, two Boston Terriers, and six Golden Retrievers. Their latest, Hank, an English Cream Golden Retriever is getting along in years, but gave Sharon and Lynn wonderful companionship. As a child Sharon had a mixed breed dog named Brother that she loved dearly.

Sharon’s life was defined by love, compassion, family, and friendship. She will be deeply missed, and her warmth, kindness, and generous spirit will live on in the memories of all who knew her.

A memorial service celebrating Sharon's life will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 10:30am at THE ALL SEASONS CHAPEL in WHITE HAVEN MEMORIAL PARK, 210 MARSH ROAD, PITTSFORD, NY. The family will be available to greet visitors upon their arrival beginning at 10am.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to a charity of the donor’s choice in Sharon’s name.