Sharon Lee Illario (nee Wilkins) age 81, passed away peacefully on July 2,2024. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents Claude L. Wilkins and Christine Z. Wilkins (nee Langley), her sisters "Peggy" Hodgetts and Wanda Marsh, her brothers Nelson, Richard and Claude Jr. and her husband Robert "Hap" Illario.She is survived by her loving children Robin A. Benedict (David) of Clermont, Fl., her son Anthony S. Illario of Edison, NJ, her grandchildren Danielle Maher (George), Christina Moore (Steven), Robert Modeszto, Leanna Modeszto(Nick), Katie Benedict, Cole Benedict, and her Great Grandchildren Caleb Moore, Andrew Moore, Juliana Zaccone and Jenna Zaccone.
Born in Newark, N.J., Sharon's family settled in Edison, N.J.. She was a graduate of Edison High school in 1960. She was the quintessential Jersey girl married to the handsome Italian guy! She and her husband moved to Colonia, N.J. in 1979. There they shared their passion for golfing, cooking and entertaining. In 1991, Sharon returned to her childhood hometown of Edison. She retired from working for the Edison Township and then entered into a new chapter of her life. Her big adventure came in 2017 when she relocated to Clermont, Florida to be near her daughter. As much as she loved being so close to her family here in Florida, she missed N.J. very much. Especially the family and friends of 74 years that she left behind. She would proudly tell anyone that N.J. was the BEST state! She truly missed the cool weather of the fall and the snowy days of winter up there.
Her love of animals was insatiable! Especially her beloved departed dogs Wolfy and Peaches and her current dog, Fifi. She enjoyed all of the species of birds that flocked her bird feeders, the chickens in her yard, the puppies born at her daughter's farm and the multiple farm animals surrounding the property.
Sharon was incredibly generous to many organizations even when she herself had very little. She had 3,000 free greeting cards to prove it! She would give anyone the shirt off her back to help them. She was genuinely kind, loving and giving. She had a laugh that was infectious and no one made her laugh harder than her son, Anthony.
Following in her "Big Sis Peggy's" footsteps, Sharon requested to be cremated without services at this time. The family will have a celebration of her life at a later date.