Sally B. Sharpe

Sally Beth Sharpe, age 99, passed peacefully on February 28, 2025 with the love of her family surrounding her. Sally was born on October 26, 1925 in Quincy, Illinois to William Nichols, a newspaper reporter, and Naomi Peter Nichols, an algebra teacher. Sally graduated from Quincy High School with the highest achievement award in 1943. She worked for the map making division of the US Army during World War II in Quincy and Washington, DC. Sally attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison from 1946 to 1949, majoring in international studies. In 1950 Sally met and married her dear husband, Jim, in Chicago. Sally and Jim moved to Council Grove, Kansas to operate a furniture store and raise their four children: Mary, Nancy, Jim, and Sarah. In 1961 Sally and Jim bought a larger furniture store and moved their family to Oshkosh. Sally co-owned James Sharpe Furniture and was an interior designer for 26 years. 

Sally had many talents, interests, and a desire to help others. She was active in many organizations in Oshkosh. As a member of the First Presbyterian Church for 64 years, Sally served as a Deacon and Elder, taught Sunday school and sang beautifully in the church choir. For fifteen years Sally was on the Board of Directors of the Oshkosh Symphony and loved attending the symphony. Sally loved being a docent at the Paine Art Museum, and especially loved going to every fourth grade classroom in Oshkosh to interact with children using their senses to appreciate art. Because Sally believed in democracy and everyone’s right to vote, she was an active member of the League of Women Voters. Sally also believed in empowering women through education as a member of PEO for 72 years. Sally was on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Oshkosh and Habitat For Humanity. With her good common sense Sally served briefly as a mediator for Winnebago County’s small claims court in Oshkosh. Because Sally loved to learn, she was an active member of the Curriculum Committee for Learning in Retirement at UW-Oshkosh. 

Sally loved geography, history, cultures, and art. She enjoyed reading “The New York Times,” traveling the world, and wandering through art museums. Sally traveled to Europe three times. Sally loved to sing!! During the 1950s Sally was the soloist for weddings and funerals. She could be heard outside joyously singing in her full soprano voice Handel’s “Messiah” Hallelujah chorus as she hung her laundry in the sunshine. The neighbors appreciated her spontaneous concert.

Sally dearly loved Jim, her husband of 71 years, her four children: Mary (Pfeiffer), Nancy (Ferree), Jim, and Sarah (Kennedy); eight grandchildren: David, Katie, Andrew, Jarred, Elizabeth, Airen, Jimmy, Alyssa; two step grandchildren: Marna and Jacob; and six great-grandchildren: Connor, Evan, Oliver, Tatum, Asher, and Leo. Later in life Sally lived through her loved ones’ eyes as they traveled the world. 

Sally’s children wish to thank the Heritage Lake Country Senior Living Facility and Brighton Hospice for their tender, loving care of their mother. Sally grew to love her special Heritage caregivers as they grew to love her after 5.5 years of living at Heritage.

Sally was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, her parents and siblings: Mary Weinand, Maria Grow, and Bill Nichols. A memorial service will occur this summer in Oshkosh at the First Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to the Oshkosh Community Foundation or the First Presbyterian Church of Oshkosh.