Obituary of Sharon Edith Axsom Gildea

Sharon “Sheri” Edith Gildea (née Axsom) passed away on November 11, 2019. She was born on August 7, 1948 in South Haven, Michigan to Andrew “Pat” Axsom and Carolyn Solley Axsom.  As a child, she grew up in western Michigan and graduated from L.C. Mohr High School, where she met the love of her life, Thomas Gildea.  She and Tom married on November 13, 1965 when she was just 17 years old.

Sheri was the youngest of four girls in her family, and she loved growing up with her older sisters Patricia “Patsy”, Geri Ann, and Karen. Determined to be a good role model to her children, Sheri went back to high school and achieved her high school diploma in 1971.  A loving mother and homemaker, Sheri was a wonderful baker and cook who enjoyed planning meals and family events especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas. In her early life, Sheri loved to draw, solve crossword puzzles, and decorate cakes.  She also learned to crochet and was a valued Sunday School teacher and member of the choir at Cape May Lutheran Church in New Jersey.  She treasured the time she had with her children and grandchildren, and as the wife of a Coast Guard veteran, she spent many years moving and resettling her family, making new friends everywhere she went.  She moved to Manassas, Virginia in 1997, and she loved to watch crime dramas and mystery shows.  She continued to foster her interest in cooking by reading about and trying new recipes.  Throughout her life, Sheri was widely regarded by friends and family as thoughtful, patient, kind, caring, resilient, and tolerant. She was someone who was always there to listen or share thoughts and feelings whenever you needed a kind word.  Her laugh was a joy to hear. 

Sheri is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Thomas J. Gildea. She is also survived by her daughter Tammy Gildea Breene and her husband John, and son Judson Gildea and his wife, Gabriela. Sheri was predeceased by her daughter Tracy Lee Fautley.

Sheri is survived by six grandchildren, Alexander Gildea, Julianna Gildea, Paul Breene, Brianna Fautley, Benjamin Breene, and Nickolas Gildea.

The family welcomes you to her memorial service at Holy Cross Lutheran Church (1090 Sterling Road, Herndon, VA 20170) at 3:00 on Saturday, November 16^th, 2019.  The service will be followed by a post-service luncheon.  Interment will take place at a later date at Quantico National Cemetery.