9/25/1948 – 11/15/2025
Lawrence
On September 25th, 1948, Mary Frances Sharp was born in Los Angeles, CA to John and Harriette Thorpe. She died November 15th, 2025, at Meadowbrook South Nursing Home in Gardner, KS.
Mary had an older sister, Elizabeth, and a younger brother, John. Elizabeth, known as Pam, resides in Arizona. John passed when he was two years old. Mary had two other half-siblings from her father’s first marriage, George “Badger” Thorpe and Harriet Thorpe-Puryear, who also preceded Mary.
Mary graduated from Montebello High School. She played drums in the marching band and marched in the Rose Bowl Parade her senior year. Mary also raced cars at a local track. While attending a USO dance she met a young sailor named Joe Sharp. On June 26th, 1970, Joe and Mary were wed in Monterey Park, CA.
After Joe’s time in the Navy, they decided to leave California and move to Joe’s hometown of Ulysses, KS. Joe took a job in the oil industry and Mary stayed home while they took in 27 foster children over the course of their life in Ulysses. They also adopted Brian Nelson and Lawrence “Larry” Sharp. In 1998 they moved to Lawrence, KS. Mary took a job at the University of Kansas working in the Ellsworth Dining Hall as an administrative assistant before KU consolidated to the new Ekdahl Dining Center in Lewis Hall. Mary worked for KU until her retirement in 2009. Mary also had been working at H&R Block as a tax preparer as a second job and really enjoyed meeting and helping many people.
Mary, like her husband, was passionate about KU Sports, especially women’s basketball and the cheerleading squads. Mary gave many special gifts made from needlepoint such as hats, scarves, bags and stuffed animals. She enjoyed keeping in touch with many of the athletes and coaches as they moved on to new teams and new opportunities.
Mary was kind, giving and did all she could to brighten someone else’s day. She was an amazing mother who gave all she could for her kids to have a good and fulfilling life. She is survived by her son Brian (Tammi) and grandson Dylan, and her son Larry (Matt). Her sister Pam, Sister-in-Law Deana (Roger) and many nieces, nephews and adopted grandchildren. Mary always had room in her heart for more. She will be missed greatly.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 pm with the family at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Foster Adopt Connect, an organization that provides support to children and foster families in Kansas and Missouri. To leave a message for Mary’s family, please visit www.Rumsey-Yost.com.
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