Joan Marie Sharkey – age 87, of Lake City, passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2022, at her home in Lake City, Iowa.

Joan Marie Mackey was born on January 25, 1935 to Leo and Alice (Pollock) Mackey. She grew up on a farm near Churdan and attended Lohrville schools. Joan was a baptized Catholic. She shared a memory of walking home from midnight mass, on Christmas Eve, when she was ten years old and when the light snow started to fall, it was so magical that she always remembered that Christmas fondly. Joan graduated from high school in 1954.

Joan married Lyle (Bud) Sharkey on September 22, 1955 in Lohrville. To their union was born two boys, Terry and Steve. Joan worked at the Country Club Café, Cottonwood Café and The Lake City Café. She used her café experience in her own kitchen to whip up whatever her grandkids and great grandkids wanted to eat. Joan then worked at Shady Oaks Care Center for 34 years, retiring in 2012 at the age of 77.

Joan is preceded in death by her husband Bud, her parents, Leo and Alice Mackey, her son, Terry Sharkey and her grandson-in-law, Dann Nielsen. She is also preceded in death by her siblings; Virgil Mackey, Rosemary (Vervel) Chase, Phillip Mackey, Zola (Web) Christensen and Jerome Mackey.

She went to heaven leaving behind many who loved her and knew that Grandma Sharkey would always be there from them including: children Steve and Patty Sharkey and Cindy Sharkey. Her five grandchildren and their families: Jolynn Nielsen, Melissa, Tyler and Hannah; David (Melissa) Sharkey, Rebecca, Isaiah, Noah and Elizabeth; Jenny (Shaun) Roby, Breonna, Baylee and Bryce; Kari Sharkey (Scott Caldwell) Briley and Beckham; and Lori (Matthew) Mauer, Kylee, Kayden and Kynlee; Ember Blankenship. She also leaves behind her sister-in-law Neva Mackey, three great-great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Grandma Sharkey was well-known for her peanut putter fudge, angel food cake and scotch-a-roo's. She loved to go gambling, especially BINGO, liked to play computer games and keep up with people on Facebook. Grandma could get a stain out of anything, put large puzzles together, walk miles in her house and her "yello" on the phone would put a smile on everyone's face. Grandma Sharkey will be remembered with love forever.