Carole A. Sharkey

Columbiana- Carole A. Sharkey suddenly passed away at her home on Tuesday morning Jan. 24, 2017. Carole was born in Youngstown on Sept. 12, 1938 to Vivian (Nee Jones) and Eugene F. Sharkey and was an only child. She grew up in Youngstown but also lived part of her childhood and young adulthood with her parents in the San Francisco Bay area. California was her second home and she visited there as often as she could to see family there that she loved.

Carole graduated from South High School in Youngstown, class of 1956 and in November of 2016 attended her 60th Class Reunion. She loved high school and was in the orchestra. After her children where grown she went back to college and graduated from Youngstown State University. Academia made her happy. She completed several majors and several minors at YSU. She went on to receive her MBA from Kent State University and during that program traveled to Europe with her class as a requirement for her degree. She loved dance & theater and acted in several plays at the Youngstown Playhouse. She was an artist as well and cherished spending long hours creating her work.

Carole earned her real estate license in 1975. She was a devoted Realtor with Re/Max Valley Real Estate and was heavily involved in the local Youngstown Columbiana Assn. of Realtors.

Her happiest times were with her children Debbie and Dale traveling to California in the 1970's to see her mother, step father, father, cousins Dee Jay, Barbara, Tom and other family. Carole made friends not only at her church but her real estate clients became her friends as well. She had an encouraging word for everyone she met and made everyone feel most important when they were in her company. That was a gift she had. She also had a fabulous sense of humor. Carole's legacy will live on because the investment she made with the time that God gave her here on earth was in people, not in things.

She leaves behind her son Dale Gaydos of Columbiana and her daughter Debbie Gaydos Guido (Ernie Guido) of Dallas, Texas; and a grandson Nick Guido (Kirstie).

The family has entrusted their loved one to the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, 28. N Main St. Columbiana, Ohio. A memorial service will be held Tuesday Jan. 31, 2017 at 7:00 pm at the funeral home where friends will be received from 5-7 pm.

Contributions in memory of Carole may be made to Angels for Animals 4750 W. South Range Rd. Canfield, OH 44406 or an animal rescue of the donor's choice.

Sign the guest register and send condolences to the family www.familycareservices.com