Obituary of Shirley Jean Sbarglia

Shirley Jean Sbarglia, 92, of Rome, devoted daughter, wife, loving mother, and grandmother has been joyfully welcomed home by her heavenly Father on January 13, 2021.

Shirley was born in Rome, NY to the late Elsie McMullen and Vernon Sherman on February 25, 1928 one of eleven children. She met her future husband, Gabriel (Gabe) Anthony Sbarglia in 1946 and was married on September 27, 1947. They built a home where they raised their three children. She was a receptionist at Bon Ton Beauty Salon and worked in the grocery business for the Mohegan Market, and as a cashier/deli clerk for Loblaws and Great American for many years until she retired. Shirley always had the longest line in the store as people chose to wait in her line to be greeted by name, with warmth, care, and upbeat conversations. As an active member of St. John the Baptist Church she was also a member of the Marion Guild. While her children were in school she was a volunteer "homeroom-Mom" baking cupcakes for her children's school events and going on field trips. She overcame many hurdles in her heartfelt life and was a breast cancer survivor and yearly supporter of The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Shirley and Gabe loved their second home in sunny Florida where they spent their winters for 35 years following retirement enjoying their community and many new friends. She loved to cook for her family and friends and was a gracious hostess who loved to entertain and was known to set a plate for anyone who walked in her door. She enjoyed playing the slot machines at the Casino and was an avid Bingo player. Shirley loved to read novels in her happy place near the ocean side in Florida.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 73 years, Gabe Sbarglia; her children Debra Shaver (Ken), Rose Marie Bohs (Drew), Gabe Sbarglia (Anne), the six grandchildren she adored: Charles Oliver Bohs (Shevon), Gabe Sbarglia (Candice), Melissa Noelle Hoessly (Mark), Jill Spencer (Jimmy), Dylan Sbarglia, and Rachel Bohs Neighbors (Len), and grand dog Maggie May; ten beautiful great-grandchildren: Gabriel, Cameron, Taylor, Isadora, Elsie, Autumn, Elias, Oliver, Leo, and Baby H-to be. Her devoted sister, Beverly Robinson, survives her.

She was very much loved and will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched. The family would like to thank the amazing nurses and caregivers from Hospice and Abraham House for the compassionate care given to our mother and family during her stay there.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Shirley's memory may be made to Abraham House, 417 N. Washington St., Rome and St. John the Baptist Church Endowment Fund, 210 E. Dominick St., Rome.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Church  with the Rev. Paul F. Angelicchio officiating.  Anyone wishing to attend is required to weat a mask and adhere to social distancing guidelines.  Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery.

Arrangements are by the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd.

To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com