Bernarda Dolores Sharkey

Bernarda, baptized Kathleen Dolores, was born to Catherine Elizabeth Isaacs and Anthony Joseph Sharkey in Pond Creek. She grew up on the family farm near Perry. She went to high school at Benedictine Heights in Guthrie and entered the convent there, taking the name Bernarda. She completed her college studies at Benedictine Heights and her graduate work in Liturgical Studies at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. She returned to Oklahoma and taught in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, primarily at Christ the King parish. After leaving the convent, she worked as Coordinator of Religious Education with the Oklahoma City Diocese and then with the Archdiocese of San Francisco. She came back to Oklahoma in 1988 and became the Director of Religious Education at Christ the King, where she served over 20 years. After retiring in the early 2000's, she turned to her second love, art. She delighted many family members and friends with her work, painting pictures with a special meaning for the intended recipient. She spent her last years at St. Ann Retirement Center in Oklahoma City. She is survived by her sister, Rose Marie and husband David Phipps; her nieces and nephews: Michele McClure, Jane Lamerdin and husband Jim George, Aaron Phipps, Brad Phipps and wife Monica, and Jennifer Phipps; by her great-nieces, Allyssa and Rebecca George, all of California; many cousins and numerous friends. The Wake will be 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Ann Retirement Center Chapel. The funeral mass will be 11 a.m. Friday at Christ the King. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to a favorite charity or to Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City.