Obituary of Bernadette A. Sharkey

Bernadette A. Sharkey

November 17, 1925 – June 27, 2024

A standard obituary isn’t enough space to give tribute to 98-year-old Bernadette (McDermott) Sharkey, who passed away peacefully in her home in Mineola, New York, on June 27, 2024.  Not enough room to salute an amazing mother of 12, grandmother of 17, and great grandmother of eight. 

Beloved wife of the late Laurence J. Sharkey and daughter of “Daisy” and Hugh,  Bernadette is survived by her children Bernadette (Robert Romano), Margaret, Anne (Gary Woonteiler), Laurence (Lenny Ramirez), Patrick (Katherine), Eileen (George Bellini), Mary Ellen Stuart, Kieran (Jovinia), Dennis, and Tara (David Newton) , and she is reunited with  deceased sons John and Christopher. Her family includes grandchildren Matthew Woonteiler, Alanna Woonteiler (deceased), Gregory Romano, Caroline Young, Geoffrey and Gabrielle Bellini, Lauren and Taylor Sharkey, Sean Stuart, Conor and Oliver Newton, Liam and Clare Sharkey, and Danielle, Michelle, Gerard, and James Sharkey.  Great grandchildren are Henry, Patrick, Genevieve, George, Emily, Aidan, Cameron and Amelia.  Bernadette’s deceased siblings are sisters Ursula, Teresa, and Margaret, and brother Gerard.  

Born in Dundalk, Ireland, Bernadette arrived in America at age 4.  She grew up in Ridgewood, NY, studied at Our Lady of Lords Mercy Academy in Syosset, NY, on scholarship, graduating first in her class. She then met Larry, the love of her life, and got married in 1947. They lived in New Hyde Park and then moved to Mineola, NY.

It was daunting to raise such a huge brood, but, with her irrepressible spirit, she provided loving care and timeless lessons on goodness, character, integrity, and humility. Her family marveled at her strength, energy, and non-judgmental nature.

Bernadette lived her faith--the personification of a charitable Catholic. 

She was extremely well-read and had an unforgettable sense of humor.

Bernadette’s accomplishments are all the more amazing because she had a longtime hearing disability, which worsened over time, as did her vision. Yet she always found a way to engage. 

Her home was a hub for many friends of the family.  Bernadette provided an environment where singing and laugher were on the menu.  She loved to dance and, on request, would perform her classic “Old Black Magic.”

Bernadette was always someone you could count on.  What made her unique?

She’d get dolled up practically every time she left the house.

She prepared delicious meals, often with her trademark homemade pies, and always perfectly cooked bacon and eggs and rolls on Sundays.

She would be first on the restaurant buffet line at family functions. And she’d let you know if the food was “too salty.”

She had an elegant style, with champagne and chocolate high on her list of favorite things.

Her tea pot was bottomless.

She was ever-present at mass, even if she couldn’t hear the priest.

She immortalized the refrain of “Please, God” after saying something with conviction.

She loved her favorite TV shows and impishly admitted her fondness for the actors on Law and Order. “Nice young men.”

She loved to tell stories about her childhood, hilarious even after the fourth time.

Bernadette loved life and didn’t want to let go. She was truly the Matriarch…a symbol of grace, stability, wisdom, kindness, and resilience. Small in stature, she was still a forceful, beautiful dynamo who defied her age.

Visitation is on Tuesday, July 2, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30, and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Weigand Brothers Funeral Home, 49 Hillside Avenue, Williston Park, NY.  Funeral mass is Wednesday, July 3, 11:15 a.m., at St. Aidan’s Church, 505 Willis Avenue, Williston Park (the mass will be live streamed @ staidanparish.org), followed by interment at the Cemetery of the Holy Rood, 111 Old Country Rd., Westbury, New York 

If preferred in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to 

https://www.catholichealthli.org/good-shepherd-hospice