Helen Joan Sharp

Helen Joan Sharp, 74, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Born on June 1, 1944; she was the daughter of the late William and Helen Mox Martell and sister of the late Lucille Madsen. She spent her early years in Brooklyn, NY and most of her life in Illinois before moving to North Carolina in 2002.

Helen obtained her Bachelors and Master's of Arts in English Degrees from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was a career educator, educational consultant and motivational speaker. Her career was spent teaching middle school, high school, secondary English, as well as community college and university courses in advanced composition, business writing, technical writing, and professional development. Helen was an experienced convention and conference speaker motivating audiences with her dynamic energy and enthusiasm. Helen was creative and gifted in her writing and editing. She published 50 articles and 4 books. She worked for the Wake Weekly for several years.

Helen enjoyed the beautiful North Carolina weather, reading, writing, walking, and caring for her two dogs. She would often ask you what you were planning to do to “treat” yourself on any given day because she felt you should always do something nice for yourself. Helen was intelligent, modest, and kind. She had a quick wit with an infectious laugh. She was fiercely independent yet was always very grateful for all of the help she received from others.

She is lovingly remembered by her brother-in-law: Robert Madsen, of Arlington Heights, IL; and niece and nephews: Mary, Robert, Christoper and David. She is also remembered by her caregivers and friends, Todd and Timberley Borger, Holly Walter, and Kim Cannan.

Special thanks to the LifeLinks Care team, Always Best Care, Sunrise Senior Living @ North Hills, Monroe, Wallace & Morden, P.A., Rex Hematology and Oncology of Wakefield, Rex Hospital and Transitions Life Care Hospice Home of Raleigh. She will be dearly missed!

Helen’s final resting place will be at the All Saints Catholic Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois near her sister and parents. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to the Transitions LifeCare Hospice Home of Raleigh - 250 Hospice Circle - Raleigh, NC 27607.