Sharon Nicole Paschke

Sharon Nicole Paschke, 52, of Oak Park, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday July 26th, after a
short, but difficult battle with cancer.

Sharon was born on April 23, 1971 to Ed and Nancy Paschke in St. Louis, Missouri but her
heart was always in Chicago where she spent her life as a great supporter of the city. After
graduating Roycemore School in Evanston, IL. in 1989, she attended the University of Kansas.
Sharon was a renaissance woman. She was her father’s kid. He a famous artist, she his
number one fan. A bond that started with the years she would spend with him in his studio
eventually even working for him there. He was her hero. She loved more than anything sharing
her father’s memories, showing people his artwork and promoting his legacy. She was and will
always be an integral part of the Ed Paschke Art Center that she was so important in helping to
establish and always contributing to. She was never more proud than standing next to her Dad
at any of his multiple openings around the world.

Sharon’s under spoken, unassuming personality often hid her brilliant knowledge of so many
different things, She had an exquisite knowledge of modern art, and could go toe to toe with top
contemporaries in the field. She had a fun and diverse excitement about music. From Duran
Duran to AC/DC to Kyuss to David Bowie, she was always energized to share her latest bands
and discoveries. She loved live music and could be seen up front at a Metallica show or
backstage at the Foo Fighters. Finally, like her dad she was a hopeless connoisseur of pop
culture and loved to talk about the absurdities and excesses of the rich and famous.
But her biggest enjoyment of all came from comedy. She loved it all. Movies, TV Shows, Stand
up. Saturday Night Live. Bill Murray. Seinfeld. Bill Hicks. She especially loved comedian 
Mitch Hedberg’s dry sense of humor; “ My friend asked me if I wanted a frozen banana.
I said 'No, but I want a regular banana later, so... yeah.' ” 
And the best part of the listening to or watching comedy with Sharon was her infectious laugh.
It made you laugh. It made you feel good.

As much as Sharon was interested in the world, her true gift was the way she cared for others.
Her mother Nancy was stricken with Parkinson’s Disease when Sharon was but a very small
child. As Sharon grew up, she, more than anyone else, helped care for her mom for her entire
life. Sharon’s warmth, and quiet compassion always made those around her feel comfortable.
This quality was most evident in Sharon’s lifelong love of animals, particularly her cats. Over the
course of her lifetime she raised and cared for some of the most colorful feline characters you
can imagine including, Star, Silver, Pepper, Minnie, Pickles, Kosmo, Rudy, Momo and Lincoln. It
was this daily display of selfless affection where you could truly see Sharon’s soul. It was
endearing, loving and beautiful.

Sharon spent her professional life as a top art conservator restoring often important, rare works
or art and documents and making them as good as new. She eventually bought the business
but sadly did not have enough time to enjoy the prosperity of her new role as owner.
Most importantly, in 2010, Sharon began the most important chapter in her life. She met and
committed to the love of her life, Michael Bullis. For the past 13 years, they shared everything.
“Similar souls” as they say. Sharon and Mike spent every day together laughing, working, and
experiencing life. Sharon, a noted lover of all things take out, would order her favorite foods like
well done pizza, the occasional char-dog and of course, Chinese food. Mike was soon a convert
and enjoyed her non-cooking ways. Thank you to Mike and his family Pat, Carol and Linda for
taking such good care of Sharon during these past months.

Sharon was predeceased by her father Ed Paschke, and her mother Nancy Paschke. She is
survived by life partner Michael Bullis, her brother Marc (Elaine) Paschke, her nieces Erica and
Miranda Paschke and her nephew Damien Paschke, Uncle Dan Cohn, Uncle Richard (Kate)
Paschke, Aunt Sally (Jim) Haines, Aunt Susy (Paul) Hippe, her kitties, Lincoln and Momo, and
many loving cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be held in the near future in a place and date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to any of the following organizations that Sharon
actively supported:

Ed Paschke Art Center
https://www.edpaschkeartcenter.org/support#donate
World Vision
https://www.worldvision.org/
Oak Park Animal League
http://www.animalcareleague.org/
Diane Fossey Gorilla
https://gorillafund.org/

Arrangements entrusted to Chicagoland Cremation Options of Schiller Park, IL