Rosemary Sharkey

Rosemary Sharkey, 75, of Stratford, Connecticut, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on July 8, 2026, at Bridgeport Hospital. She was born in Stamford on May 8, 1951.

Rosemary was predeceased by her beloved husband, Vincent J. Sharkey, Sr.; her mother, Barbara O'Connell Orris; and her brother, Edward Orris.

She is survived by her loving children, Vincent J. Sharkey, Jr. and his wife, Nicole, of Stratford; Kari Lynn Sharkey Isidori of Bethel, Connecticut; and Brian Sharkey of West Palm Beach, Florida. She also leaves behind her siblings, Fred Orris, Barbara Savickas, and JoAnn Orris; her cherished grandchildren, Taylor and Brooke Sharkey; Kaisi-Paige, Taryn, and Charles Isidori; and Riley Sharkey. Rosemary is also survived by her best friend and confidant, Barbara Rotelli.

After raising her children, Rosemary returned to college and earned her Master's Degree in Business from Sacred Heart University, proving that it is never too late to pursue your dreams.

Rosemary was an avid cook who loved trying new recipes, but she became famous for a few treasured family favorites—her shrimp scampi, her lasagna, and her homemade éclairs. Those éclairs often had to be hidden from the rest of the family—especially Uncle Steve—if they were going to make it to dessert.

Her greatest joy in life was her grandchildren. Whenever they were with her, the rest of the world faded into the background. She cherished every game, every conversation, every holiday, and every hug. They were truly the light of her life.

She shared a remarkable love story with her husband, Vinny. Together they showed their family what unwavering love, devotion, and partnership looked like. It brings comfort to those who loved them to know they are together again.

Rosemary loved sunshine and could never wait for warmer weather. Long before spring had officially arrived, she would pull out the lawn chairs—and if necessary, shovel snow from around the pool deck—just to soak up the first rays of the season. In the late 1970s, she sewed Halloween costumes by hand, hosted annual Easter egg hunts every Easter morning, and filled the house with the comforting aroma of Christmas cookies baked from her well-worn Betty Crocker cookbook, its pages forever dusted with flour and sugar.

She also loved to knit. Nearly every member of the family has a blanket, a Christmas stocking, or perhaps even one of her early, lovingly misshapen hats to treasure.

She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.

Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, on Thursday, July 16, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.