Sharon H. Pankey

A Celebration Of Life for Sharon H. Pankey, 80, of Wheeling, formerly of Palatine, will be held on July 30, 2023, at 3:00 pm at Chicago Prime Italian in Schaumburg.

Sharon was the loving mother of Deborah (Aaron) Gabriel, and Patrick Pankey; loving gramma to Jerome and Henry Gabriel; dear daughter of the late Conrad and Henrietta (nee Greven) Hanley. She is survived by her aunt, Dorothy Stark of Chicago, and cousins John Stark and Alan Stark.

Sharon grew up in Chicago and Skokie, graduating from Niles High School where she was active in the theater program. Sharon raised her family in Palatine with her then-husband Richard D. Pankey. She was the mom who always baked treats for classroom parties, crafted her kids’ Halloween costumes and hosted extravagant dinner parties and holiday gatherings for family and friends. She was active in the Palatine Junior Women’s Club and served on a Harper Community College advisory board back in the day. She wore many hats professionally, from hair stylist to realtor to insurance claims manager to accounts receivable processor. The hat she enjoyed wearing the most was the one that read Gramma Sharon. She enjoyed spending time with her grandsons whether she was taking them to a movie, decorating cookies or cheering them on during a water polo match. She loved Frank Sinatra, music you could dance to, roses in full bloom, Fourth of July fireworks at Community Park, Shamrock Shakes, dogs and da Bears.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be appreciated to the National Organization for Women or Second City Canine Rescue of Palatine.