Sharon Kay Costanza

Sharon Kay Costanza, 74, of Sodus went home to be with the Lord and her loving husband on Oct. 13, 2020, surrounded by her loving children, after being ill for a lengthy period of time. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 555 East Delaware Ave., Benton Harbor, with Father James Adams officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 9-10 a.m. also at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 555 East Delaware Ave., Benton Harbor MI. 49022. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Sharon was born March 9, 1946, in Indiana to Elwood and Betty (Smith) Vergon. She was a 1964 graduate of Benton Harbor High School. On July 8, 1972, she married Angelo M. Costanza of Sodus. Sharon Attended Western Michigan University for a short time and then decided to pursue a career in nursing, graduating from Lake Michigan College as a registered nurse. Sharon stayed in South West Michigan her entire life and was employed for over 35 years with Mercy Hospital Benton Harbor, before merging with Memorial Hospital and then changing to Lakeland Medical Center St. Joseph. Throughout Sharon's working years, she specialized in the operating room, emergency room, dialysis department, home care and home infusion departments before retiring. Sharon enjoyed raising her two children: Nicole and Brett, spending time with her parents in Sister Lakes, especially in the summer on the lake, visiting her Grandma Vergon in Buchanan. She visited Graceland with her husband and traveled to Hawaii, Aruba, Mexico and Florida throughout the years. Sharon also was known for reading, she read every night before she went to bed and even during the day in her spare time. Sharon loved to go to antique shows, flea markets and became a Jewel Tea Autumn Leaf collector. She met many friends throughout the years through the Jewel Tea club, and also went to many conventions with other collectors until her husband became ill. Sharon also was a cookie jar collector. Collecting and scavenging for treasures was a hobby for Sharon which she loved! Sharon enjoyed traveling with her husband, Angelo, to Florida during the winter after retirement, and spending time with her precious grandchildren: Charles and Courtney, Taylor, Joseph, Emily and Jacob the loves of her life. She also enjoyed talking to her siblings on the phone daily, sometimes twice a day and faithfully writing letters weekly to her brother, Gary, and sister, Charlene. In Sharon’s free time she spent time organizing her class reunion get togethers and keeping in touch with her classmates. Sharon is survived by her children: Nicole Costanza Hilsenbeck of Temperance, Mich., Brett (Jennifer) Costanza of Sodus; her sisters: Patricia Contreras (Robert) of Benton Harbor, Charlene Matarese (Leonard) of Buffalo, N.Y., Paulette Adams of Stevensville, and Gary Vergon of Charlevoix, Mich.; grandchildren: Charles and Courtney, Taylor, Joseph, Emily, and Jacob. She was preceded in death by her husband, Angelo, on Sept. 27, 2013; her father, Elwood, on Sept. 23, 2000, and mother, Betty, on March 3, 2002. Sharon will be missed by her entire family. Thank you everyone for your love and support. Thank you to the entire staff at Stately Living for caring for Sharon.