Antoinette Lynn Sharp

Toni (Antionette) Lynn Sharp, age 82, of Sykesville, Maryland passed away peacefully early Monday morning, October 21, 2024 in Baltimore with her beloved husband, Dick (Richard) and son, Adam at her bedside.

She is survived by many cherished loved ones - Dick (Richard) Sharp (husband), Kelly Ochsner (daughter) (Gary - son-in-law), Jon Clark (son) (Amy - daughter-in-law), Adam Sharp (son) (Mandy - daughter-in-law), Paul Heisig (brother) (Becky - sister-in-law). Toni is also survived by 8 grandchildren - Kelsey, Zoe, Julian, Josephine, Sage, Aidan, Colin and Gavin, 5 great-grandchildren - Ryker, Elisha, Sophia, Alaithia, and Magdalena, as well many nieces, nephews, extended family and special close friends. 

Born to Hathorn Heisig (1898 - 1974) and Romayne Stewart (1916 - 1989), July 28, 1942, in Glendale, California, Toni was 4th of 5 children of a blended family. Don Heisig, half-brother, Mary Pat Carlisi, half-sister, and Thornie Heisig, brother, predeceased her. Courageously, with God's help, she overcame a very stormy childhood.

Toni attended Glendale High School and was most notably active with class councils, high school newspaper staff, junior statesman, and pep club.She attended Glendale Community College where she met her first husband, Gary Clark. They were married in 1962 . They lived in California where daughter, Kelly and son, Jon were born. They were divorced in 1965. 

She and her beloved husband of 54 years, Dick Sharp, met in 1968 at her place of work, Rand Corporation. Her coworker, Al Cook, and his friend, Dick, were heading out of the building to lunch when Dick caught a glimpse of Toni while she was standing with her back turned at a file cabinet. He, "to this day, does not know why he was so attracted to her". He asked Al if he knew her and he replied, "yes", and asked Al to invite Toni to join them for lunch, and she did. He thought she was sooo pretty, and communicating with her was effortless. Toni was known to be very outgoing and gregarious! 

Dick and Toni, adorned with a crown of daisies upon her brown silky locks, were married on August 1, 1970, with a scenic view of the Pacific Ocean as their backdrop on the palisades of Santa Barbara, California.

They resided in California during their early years of marriage where their son, Adam, was born in 1976. After much research, it was of great value to Toni to birth him in their home with a mid-wife on hand. Side note - Because they chose not to know the gender of their child beforehand, celebratory Toni baked and froze a cake to be served as a joyful welcome to their new baby son or daughter on the day of it's birth. 

In May of 1988, Dick's employer relocated to Pennsylvania. They followed suit and chose to make the transfer, too. During a full week of searching for a home, they honed in on a particular neighborhood that fit their interests. Two homes were on the market in this neck of the woods, but one was pending sale. Toni stated, "if only that one were available to us - that's the one I'd like!" They put an offer in on the other one, but the seller was out of the country and not available for the next few days. Providentially, this being said, the night before Toni planned to return to California, the house she liked was back on the market! She was "so excited"! Called it "A Miracle! His wonders never cease!" They placed an offer for the asking price, purchased their new home on Foxcroft Road in Broomall, Pennsylvania, and moved in the following month where they resided for the next 32 years. Toni, with her creative flair, beautifully decorated their home with warm and welcoming cheerful touches inside and out. Through her friendly and bubbly personality, Toni easily acclimated to their new surroundings; although, the change in climate (winters and humidity specifically) were a challenge at times for this native gal from California. She connected with a nearby church, which considerably blessed her with deep-rooted friendships through to her final days. 

Prior to the year of 2020, as Dick was in the mode of retirement, the two of them began a journey of prayer and discussion regarding downsizing. They determined the benefits of living closer to their son's family in Maryland made the most sense. Dick and Toni's outlook of spending more time near their grandsons and engaging in their lives, along with encouragement and support from loved ones, they stepped forward with this goal in mind. After MUCH consolidation of their two-story home, in September of 2020, they transitioned to a two bedroom senior living apartment in Sykesville, Maryland. 

Toni, Beloved Wife, Mom, Mema, Sister, Aunt and Cherished Friend ... "Priceless One" in all sense of those words, exemplified cartwheels of joy, unending love, and an abundance of faith that generously poured out into her family, friends, and beyond, stamping us all with God's blessings from above! 

She had an infectious zest for life, young at heart, always offering up hugs, exuding joy that was easily contagious, along with a delightful sense of humor and sooo much fun! One of MANY loving quotes of Toni's - "I can't thank-you enough for how much it has deeply touched my heart, even down to my big toe!" 

Toni was very stylish and trendy often clothed in her favorite colors of fuchsia, navy blue and white.

Her best loved hobbies included her passion for taking pictures and documenting memories around every corner, flea markets and thrift shopping galore, crafts of all kinds, sewing, playing Bridge, and playing games with her family and friends. 

She was a daily prayer warrior for us all, keeping a daily prayer journal, continually persevering with her faith in Christ, and starting each day with "morning fruit time". She was a TRUE GIFT from the Lord, a "light" in any room as she shined with abundant joy! 

Toni was an AWESOME Mema investing time through playing games, crafts, reading, and so much more with overflowing bubbliness into her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A true blessing of memories to forever cherish through having such a fun and loving Mema!

She was a Mom with a patient enduring love, full of grace and forgiveness for her children! Rich with hugs, always open to listening with a compassionate ear, offering nuggets of wisdom, continually offering up encouragement when needed, and loads of fun and spontaneity! 

Toni was Dick's "Forever Valentine, His Peaches, Loved from the deepest part of his heart", and will always be!! 

For all those that loved and were loved by Toni, and on their behalf, we offer up, as she would often share - BIG HUGE HUGS!! WE LOVE YOU FOR ALWAYS - OODLES AND OODLES!!! We will forever rejoice in your birth! 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to http://www.rachelsjoy.org/abhom_alt.html. The family intends to hold a service in the Spring in the Philadelphia area. 

Details to come.