Darlene J. Sharbaugh

Loving mother and grandmother

Darlene J. Hess Sharbaugh, 81, of Salamanca, NY died Saturday, December 30, 2023 at Cuba Memorial Hospital, following a lengthy battle with lung cancer and illness.

Born October 4, 1942 in Johnstown, PA, she was the daughter of the late Clyde Hess and June Sebring Hess Mastrocola. She was married on June 5, 1971 to Thomas L. Sharbaugh, who survives.

She was a graduate of Johnstown High School, Class of 1960, and Indiana State Teacher’s College, class of 1964.

She taught for several years before moving to the Salamanca area in 1971 and becoming a stay-at-home mother to two boys. She also worked as a reporter for the Salamanca Press, and later served the community as a caseworker for Head Start and the Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services.

Darlene loved animals, baking, reading, singing, word games, and more than anything, talking to friends, family, and anyone else who would listen. She was a lifelong Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers fan.

Surviving are two sons, Michael (Holly) Sharbaugh of Limestone, NY and Kevin Sharbaugh of Salamanca, one grandson, Zin Sharbaugh, two sisters, Sandra (Roger) Lange of Boscobel, WI (and her four sons Jeff, Joe, Jason, and John), Kathy (Ron) Chapman of Canandaigua, NY, and a brother Carl “Skip” (Sharon) Mastrocola of Bethel Park, PA.

She was predeceased by longtime companion George Heron.

There will be no visitation.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1999, Memphis, TN 38101.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.