Sharon O'Reilly Obituary

Sharon Ann O'Reilly Aug. 26, 1946 - Jan. 29, 2010 Sharon O'Reilly, age 63, resident of Georgetown, Texas (formerly of Austin), ended her battle with cancer at her home in Georgetown on Friday, January 29, 2010. She was born in Philadelphia, PA and spent her early childhood in post-WW II Germany, where her father served in the US Army. Her family was later stationed in Ft. Hood, Killeen, TX, where she chose to become a lifelong "Texan." After graduating from Killeen High School, she met and later married her (former) husband, Peter Dossing; they later moved to Austin and had two sons. Despite her self-proclaimed "Aggie for Life" status, Sharon actually graduated from UT-Austin in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in education. She worked in therapeutic recreation with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department and later with mentally challenged adults at the Austin State School. Originally diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, Sharon fought it back into remission, and proudly displayed that she was a breast cancer survivor. It was at this point that she really began to live her life to the fullest: She participated in the Danskin Triathlon as part of Team Survivor; was actively involved with Casting for Recovery, a support group that teaches fly-fishing to cancer patients and survivors; and was a member of Sisters on the Fly, a group of thrill-seeking, fly-fishin' women who caravan around the country in vintage trailers and cowgirl attire, and whose motto is "We Have More Fun Than Anyone!" After retiring in 2008, Sharon moved from her longtime home in Austin to Georgetown. An avid traveler, she most recently went on a tour of China with her sister, Patt, in September of 2009 and to New York City to visit her son, Kevin, in November of 2009. Sharon's cancer came out of hiding over the recent holidays after nearly ten years in remission, and she passed peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her mother and father Eleanor and Edward Pusey, and brother, William Pusey. She is survived by her beloved sons, Kevin and Michael Dossing, her devoted sister Patricia Fowler, her loving daughter-in-law Carole Dossing, and her treasured grandchildren Joseph, Desiree, Maya and Jake Dossing. A lifelong fan of Roy Rogers, Sharon chose to have a "Happy Trails" party in lieu of a funeral. On January 15, 2010, over 100 friends gathered to celebrate her life and say farewell. She had a wonderful time seeing the many friends she had made over the years, and the evening culminated in a tearful but joyous "Happy Trails to You" group sing-along dedicated to her. Her family would like to thank everyone for coming out and making her party so special, as well as for all the cards, well wishes, and flowers that she has received from those who could not attend. They would also like to thank Texas Home Health Hospice, for helping make her final days as comfortable as possible at home, as well as longtime family friend Del Garcia, whose help and support 'til the very end was invaluable. In lieu of flowers or charitable donations, Sharon had asked to convey instead to treat yourself and your loved ones to an ice-cream sundae, and to cherish each and every moment you have together.