Victoria Lynn Sharpe-Edwards

Victoria Lynn Sharpe-Edwards, aged 68, passed away on January 4th, 2021 at her home in Germantown Hills after a year and a half long battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Peoria, Illinois, she was preceded in death by her parents Esther Sharpe (Hudson) and Howard Sharpe and her brother Mike Largent.

Victoria liked a challenge, was independent, loving, and protective of her family and friends. She was never afraid to speak her mind, and yet had a way of making people laugh and always enjoyed a good time with friends and family. She was an avid reader who liked visiting out of the way bookstores, art and history museums, liked the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright having visited both Taliesin East in Wisconsin and Taliesin West in Arizona, and always enjoyed trying new hobbies. Although her musical taste was quite broad, her favorite group was The Beatles having seen them in Chicago as a teen. She was passionate about cooking, traveling to San Francisco to eat at the famously historical restaurant of Alice Waters, Chez Panisse, and made a pilgrimage several years ago to visit the art studio of her beloved artist Georgia O’Keeffe. She was a 2nd degree black belt in Wado Ryu karate and a certified taichi teacher who taught at several health clubs in the Peoria area and at Illinois Central College.

Victoria received an Associate’s degree from Illinois Central College and attended Bradley University for several years working towards a degree in special education before starting her career at Illinois Department of Transportation as a negotiator. After retiring from IDOT she spent her time as head of the juice bar at ICC’s physical education department for a time and worked part time as a barista at the college.

Victoria is survived by her husband Dwight Edwards, daughter Katlyn Michael (Mason Hagerman), sisters Patricia Wheeler and Judy (Steve) VanWinkle, brother Dennis Sharpe, stepsons Chris Edwards and Kipp (Kara) Edwards, and grandchildren Abigail Edwards, Isabel Edwards, and Owen Michael along with many nieces, nephews and other family members who all remember the amazing woman she was, “She is the cool grandma.”

In light of the current Covid climate there will be no immediate service. The family will hold a celebration of life for her at a later undetermined date. The family asks that in lieu of flowers and/or gifts that you please make donations to The National Pancreas Foundation at pancreasfoundation.org in her name.

Ascend mountains, soar above the clouds, traverse the Heavens and Beyond.

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