Sharon Herrmann Urell

Longtime Newark, Delaware resident Sharon Herrmann Urell died peacefully at Christiana Hospital Oct. 28. The native of Stamford, Conn. was 81.

Born Sept. 18, 1941 to Margaret and William F. Herrmann Jr., she was the second oldest of their seven children. She attended Stamford schools and was a 1959 graduate of Sacred Heart Academy in Stamford. She moved to Delaware with her husband and young family in 1970.

In addition to raising her children, Sharon owned a children’s consignment shop in Newark, “The Shoestring Boutique” for several years and later worked for the Christina School District. Sharon returned to small business ownership with “The Gingerbread House,” featuring children’s clothing, furniture and other items, in Marshallton. Her handmade Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls were featured in both shops and sold locally. Sharon was a skilled seamstress and crafter. From her home or the shops, she made a wedding dress for a daughter, created custom christening gowns and re-upholstered furniture among other projects.

For more than 20 years, Sharon was a regular summer resident at campgrounds in Rock Hall, Md. and Denver, Pa. where she enjoyed the community, camaraderie and outdoor life. She was a fan of live music and regularly attended local performances with friends to watch The Sin City Band and other performers at Argilla in Newark and other area locations.

Sharon is survived by siblings Patricia Humphrey, Pegeen Ranhosky, Brian Herrmann and MaryEllen Woodman; children Sheilagh (Gary) Barndollar, Sam (Joe) Clancy, Jacqui (Gary) Poe, Jaimee (Steven) Williams and Rob (Yuniva) Urell; grandchildren Ryan, Jack and Nolan Clancy, Molly Henry, Kelsey Poe, Lexi Urell and Benjamin Williams; and numerous nieces and nephews. Sharon was pre-deceased by her parents, siblings William F. Herrmann III and Thomas J. Herrmann and grandson Scott Barndollar. A marriage to James Urell, who died in 2015, ended in divorce.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Helen Graham Cancer Center, Christiana Care Office of Philanthropy, 4000 Nexus Drive, Suite W3-300, Wilmington, DE 19803 or via giving.christianacare.org. The family thanks the hospice staff at Christiana Hospital for their care and compassion.

Services will be private.