Sharon Hillery Obituary

Sharon Marie Monley Hillery, 82, of Dubuque, passed away Friday, July 4, 2025, at Oak Park Place.

Sharon was born September 27, 1942 in Culver City, CA, the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Connelly) Monley. She was educated at Sacred Heart Catholic School in East Grand Forks, MN, and went on to earn her BS in Nursing from University of North Dakota. Sharon earned her MSN in Denver, CO, where she met and maintained fast friends up to this day. Her PhD in Education was awarded from Iowa State University.

Sharon was one of the earliest nurse practitioners and was instrumental in recruiting for more of them through a position with the Kellog Foundation of Battle Creek MI. Sharon taught briefly at the Finley School of Nursing before that mode of Nursing education lost favor. She regularly entered the hospital through a door labeled "doctors only". For thirteen years, she very much enjoyed her international students at the University of Dubuque. Continuing education became her networking nitch.

While in Denver, Sharon was introduced to Kent Hillery at a wedding, and they married six months later on July 28, 1978 at St. Anthony Catholic Church.

Sharon was a very competitive bridge player, had a wonderful sense of humor, and was a riveting storyteller. She never met a Schnauzer that she didn't like.

Sharon is survived by her husband, Kent; her sister, Mary Lou (Mark) Wavra; her brothers, Robert (Becky), Tim, Rich (Jan), Mike (Kitty), Patrick (Theresa), and John (Jan) Monley; her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Kay (Dave) Daley, Clark (Ann) Hillery, Craig (Melva) Hillery, Connie (Randy) Lenz, and Kathy Hillery (Al Kretchmer); and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Marybelle Hillery.

Kent would like to thank Hospice of Dubuque for their care of Sharon. Particularly welcome to our family needs were Jill, Sasha and Nicole

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Dubuque, or a charity of your choosing.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 11:30 AM, Saturday, August 16, 2026 at Resurrection Cemetery, 2203 River Rd. NW, East Grand Forks, MN, 56721.