Dana Sharpe

Dana Sharpe, of Wyoming, died Friday, September 25, 2026 at home with her daughters and her brothers by her side after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.  Dana dedicated her life to loving, nurturing, and supporting those around her:  being married to her high school sweetheart, the daughters she loved beyond measure, the grandchildren who were the center of her world, the students she supported, and the 4-Hers, friends, and family who always knew she would volunteer and lend a hand. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth and unwavering devotion.

    Born in Dover, Delaware, she was the younger daughter of Daniel and Betty Lou Gooden.  She was the second of their four children.

    Dana’s family managed the DuPont Farm in Wyoming, Delaware when she was younger and then farmed independently in the same area as she grew up. She was a member of the Caesar Rodney High School Class of 1971. While at CR High School, she was a member of the varsity field hockey and softball teams. She was also active in many clubs and received the all-school letter. She was also named the senior superlative of “most popular” in her graduating class.  

    Dana was an active 4-H member as a child. She excelled at all of her 4-H projects but especially loved showing horses and swine at the Delaware State Fair.  She also enjoyed sewing, cooking, and canning, which became lifetime endeavors that she shared with other 4-Hers and leaders.

    While in high school, both her and her sister were recognized as National 4-H Congress scholarship winners. She won for her horse project and her sister (Joy) won for her leadership project. It was the first time that siblings had ever won 4-H scholarships simultaneously at the national level.

    Dana became the leader of the Westville 4-H Club when her daughter Sherry joined at the age of 9. Her enthusiasm for 4-H led to Westville becoming one of the largest and most consistently active clubs in Kent County during her tenure. And, when her grandchildren were ready to start 4-H, she launched the Legacy 4-H club with her daughters. Dana was inducted into the Delaware 4-H Hall of Fame in 2018 and was Delaware’s 4-H Salute to Excellence Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer the same year.  

    Dana served as a paraprofessional in the Caesar Rodney School District, first at the Kent County Intensive Learning Center, and later at the John S. Charlton School. She was a part of the inaugural Charlton class that moved off-site to support inclusion throughout the CR School District. Her work as a para also led to the creation of “Westville II,” which was a 4-H club designed to promote inclusion opportunities for Charlton students.  

    Dana also shared her time and talents with a multitude of organizations. She served as a Sunday School teacher and Vacation Bible School instructor at both Wyoming United Methodist Church and Hope United Methodist Church. She also helped Hope UMC launch the “Hope Closet,” which provided toiletries, personal supplies, and household products for needy families in Dover. Dana was also an active member of the Willow Run Ruritanettes and volunteered with Attack Addiction at various events in Kent County. She also served as an assistant superintendent in the Needlework Department at the Delaware State Fair.       

    Dana loved attending events for her children and grandchildren, going on cruises with her husband, the family’s annual vacation to Dewey Beach, visiting Disney World with the grandkids, and working with her hands. She was an outstanding seamstress, wove countless baskets, and loved planting her annual garden and flowers around her house. Dana was also the sentimental catalyst in the family. To this day, the family refrigerator is covered with newspaper clippings, box scores, photos of accomplishments, and drawings done by her grandchildren. 

    Dana was preceded in death by her husband, Richard “Rick” Sharpe; her parents: Daniel “Dick” Gooden and Betty Lou Gooden; a sister, Joy Gooden Sparks; and her in-laws: Richard Harvey Sharpe (father-in-law), JoAnn Sharpe (mother-in-law), and Priscilla McConnell (sister-in-law).

    Dana is survived by two loving daughters and their husbands: Sherry and Mike Kijowski of Wyoming and Jessica and Ryan Flaherty of Wyoming. She is also survived by three grandchildren: Seth Flaherty, Aidan Flaherty, and Madelyn Flaherty. She is also survived by her brothers: Alex and Barbara Gooden of Wyoming and Richard Gooden of Auburn, Maine. She is also survived by her brother-in law Donald Sparks of Newark; a brother-in-law and his wife: John and Cindie Sharpe of Wyoming; and a sister-in-law, Debbie Brown of Little Heaven.  She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

    In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dana’s honor to the Joy G. Sparks Memorial Fund, Delaware 4-H Foundation, 113 Townsend Hall, 531 S. College Avenue, Newark, DE 19716-2170. 

    A service honoring Dana’s life will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026 at Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave., Wyoming Delaware. Visitation will take place at 10:00 am with the service commencing at noon. Burial will occur at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Camden, Delaware immediately following the service.  Letters of condolence can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.

    Dana lived the 4-H Motto: To Make The Best Better. She used her head, heart, hands, and health to make her family, her friends, and her community a better place for all. Her legacy will continue to be the relationships, love, and generosity she imparted to others.