Denise Marlene Sharkey nee Schultz

9/27/1955 - 3/4/2008

Survived by husband, Joseph M. Sharkey (San Francisco); mother, Betty Krause Clary (San Diego); father, Willard W. Schultz (Grass Valley); sister, Jeneine Schultz Bazinet, brother-in-law, Greg Bazinet, niece Anne-Marie Jewell, nephew Ryan Bazinet (Phoenix); brother, Joel Schultz, s-i-l Theresa Wicktor Schultz, niece, Audrey Schultz (Quincy,CA) and niece, Leia Schultz (Eureka, CA) and brother Adam Schultz, s-i-l Joanie, nephew Dylan, nieces Megan and Sierra along with many grieving in-laws, the “Cousins” , aunts, uncles, great nieces and nephews from coast to coast, border to border, and across the Seas. She was pre-deceased by sisters Julianne Schultz & Tiffany Schultz, and step-father Michael D. Clary

Actress, stand-up comic, improvisational comedian, Waitress, club housekeeper, beloved wife, devoted daughter, solid sister, and adored aunt to hundreds, Denise’s love of travel and studies of things european and epicurean would rival that of Rick Steves and Julia Child. Her self-confidence and actors training paid off many times in upgrades in planes, trains, hotels & restaurants from Nice to Nob Hill. She had a remarkable way of charming people into believing that helping her would make them a better person.

She has lived, worked, and performed in San Francisco, Berkeley, LA, New York, Germany, the Netherlands, and the 4-Way Inn, Wells, NV.

Born in Elko, weaned in Wells, raised and educated in California, Denise was a true, red, white and blue girl of the golden west.

She had a love of travel and adventure that she got from reading, and remembering what she’d read: e.g. 2 Euro$ SRO night at the Vienna Opera House (Verdi's "Falstaff" in Italian ). She & Shark, traveled all over Europe and most of the USA. They especially loved the trips to Donegal, Ireland, visiting Joe’s relatives, and to the East Coast, more relatives, catching a play a night & walking all over Manhattan by day. Mystic, CT, home of dearest of friends, Anne-Marie Smith, was also a favorite destination. Ms. Smith frequently traveled in the company of Mr.& Mrs. Sharkey.

(((( oooh, i'm getting all hitchcockian ...weee-oooohhhh)))))

But, old world castles and big cities didn’t fulfill Denise's need to stay active. She also had a love of the natural world and the joy that witnessing such beautiful chaos can only bring. She & Shark spent countless hours hiking the trails & beaches at Pt. Reyes, Mt. Tam, Big Basin, Yosemite, Death Vally, Tahoe...wherever they traveled, Denise had a hike planned. And if hot enough, a skinny-dip.

“...and pray for (her) who walked apart on the hills loving life’s miracles.” --Patrick Kavanagh