York, PA-Peggy Bell Sharp died peacefully after a short illness in York Hospital, on Tuesday, Mar. 6, 2018, in York, PA, at the age of 84.
Peggy is survived by her husband of 61 years, William Curtis Sharp, of York, PA; children, Mitchell Clifford Sharp, of Downingtown, PA, Rebecca Ward of York, PA, Melissa Terrels of Philadelphia, PA, and Johanna Dene Sharp of Jupiter, FL; and sister, June Lee Wolcott of Roswell, GA. Peggy and Curtis have 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by brother, Edgar Bell of Fairlea; mother, Virginia Danese Kessinger Bell of Exton, PA; and father, Edgar Rucker Bell, of Fairlea.
Peggy was born on Dec. 17, 1933, in Caldwell, to Edgar Rucker Bell and Virginia Danese Kessinger.
She graduated from the C&O School of Nursing, Clifton Forge, VA in 1956 and became certified as a Registered Nurse. She also received additional Psychology training in Wilmington, DE, and operating room procedures at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
She married William Curtis Sharp, who she met on a blind double-date, on Oct. 5, 1957, in Caldwell. Peggy was an Operating Room (OR) Registered Nurse throughout her career in many hospitals. She and her husband Curtis and family lived in numerous locations across the country as a result of Curtis’ position with the USDA. Peggy worked at Arnot Ogden Hospital in Elmira, NY, Burdette-Tomlin Memorial Hospital in Cape May Court House, NJ, Castro Valley Hospital in Castro Valley, CA, Lodi Hospital in Lodi, CA, Chester County Hospital in West Chester, PA, and Paoli Hospital in Paoli, PA.
During their early married years in Big Flats, NY, Peggy and Curtis welcomed four children into their home, who survive her and are mentioned above. Her children remember her as a driven and loyal mother who encouraged them to pursue their goals.
Peggy was accomplished at music and was a self-taught pianist. She was a witty individual who loved numerous subjects and who was passionate about archeology, and the environment. She dedicated much of her spare time to reading to young children in grade school, and cleaning roads and highways of litter. She was a member of the Elk Branch Presbyterian Church near Harper’s Ferry. She and her husband worked together on the 512-page book “A Kessinger Family History” which arrived from the publisher on the day of her passing.
Peggy will be cremated, and buried in Frost, Pocahontas County, in the cemetery established in 1914 by her husband’s grandparents, William Alexander Gilmer Sharp and Nancy Elizabeth Arbogast Sharp. The cemetery is on the property where William Alexander, his father, Curtis and his siblings were born. Peggy loved the natural beauty and people of Pocahontas County.
No ceremony is scheduled at this time, but is planned to occur in the coming spring in Harper’s Ferry and at the cemetery in Frost. Friends, loved ones, and relatives will be advised.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Autism Project of Palm Beach County, FL, 1310 North Congress Ave., Suite 100, West Palm Beach, FL 33409 (autismproject.org).
Condolences may be shared at geiple.com.
