It is with the saddest of hearts that the Millecchia family announces that their dearest Brooke has passed from this life. Brooke Sharpe Millecchia died peacefully on May 4th, her birthday, just before midnight in her home in Fairport, New York. Brooke was born on May 4th, 1972 in Denver, Colorado, to Barbara Nelson and Mark Sharpe. She attended West Virginia University where, in 1997, she earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Ceramics and where she also met the love of her life. In June, 1998 Brooke married her best friend and life partner, Matthew Millecchia, in Morgantown, West Virginia. Together Brooke and Matt had two children, Zane and William, whom she adored and of whom she was always so proud. Brooke was an inspiration to everyone who knew her as she lived her life with love, compassion, curiosity, courage, and humor. Her deep artistic drive and flair brought us all joy and beauty through her ceramic art and through her whimsical personality. Brooke shared her love of color and form, delighting us with creative masterpieces. Her strong sense of self allowed her to explore the boundaries of artistic expression, bringing authenticity into her work and life. An accomplished teacher as well as artist, Brooke shared her technical skills and artistic vision generously with friends and colleagues across the country and around the world. Her deep love of family and friends strengthened and connected us throughout her all-too-brief life. Brooke shared on many occasions how grateful she was for the wonderful community of people who sustained her throughout her life and especially in the past days, months and years of her cancer journey. Brooke lives on forever in our hearts, and she would undoubtedly encourage us to lean on one another and continue to share stories, laugh, and cry together as we honor her life so well-lived. So, let’s grab our Brooke-mugs and lift them high in her memory and treasure the light she ignited in all of us. Brooke is survived by her loving mother, Barbara Nelson Reddish and her partner William Butler, her husband Matthew, her children, Zane and William, her in-laws, Lyndell and Ronald Millecchia, and many other family and friends who loved and treasured her. Brooke was predeceased by her father, Mark Sharpe. Services for Brooke will be held at White Haven Memorial Park, Pittsford, NY in the All Seasons Chapel on May 31, 2024 at 3pm. There will be an informal gathering prior to the service from 1pm-3pm where all are welcome. The family is hoping to live-stream the formal ceremony. Please check back here for further updates and possible links. Directions to parking for the All Seasons Chapel can be found by following this link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7YthDPbdj18G9tmeA In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you celebrate Brooke’s beautiful legacy by loving each other with your whole heart and by spreading joy throughout the world. Rest in peace, dearest Brooke—we love and miss you so.
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14 responses to “Millecchia, Brooke Sharpe”
The night’s sky now has another bright star, our Brooke, who will have us gazing up to.
It is hard to even add to this wonderful tribute. All I can say is thank you Brooke for what you taught me…for being a light and a friend. I will think of you each time my wheel spins….❤️
Thank you for reminding us to find joy in everything and laugh often, dear Brooke ❤️
I met Brooke in 2017 @ Flower City Arts. Her talent was amazing, her enthusiasm infectious, and her passion for her art was inspiring. My heart goes out to her family and friends on this profound loss.
Beautiful words indeed to honor the most beautiful spirit I think I’ve ever had the privilege to know. I hear your voice in my head each time I play in the clay. Thank you dear Brooke. The universe is a better place for having you in it. Love you forever dear friend.
Brooke was an amazing artist and a kind, warm, vibrant person who shared so much joy with others. She will be deeply missed by all.
Always kind, encouraging, helpful and made a huge impact to grow my ceramic work. You are remembered in each piece I have made by you and each work I underglaze and sgraffito. Such a joy to be with❤️
The thought of not having this beautiful soul in our lives is overwhelming. She lives on in all who loved her and knew her. I will miss her kind, loving, and always positive personality so much. My deepest condolences to her family. She is so missed.
Dearest Brooke, it was an honor to have known you. I will always remember your enthusiasm and talents. You are so well loved and will be so deeply missed.
You’ll be in my heart always. I love you sweetie ❤️
I feel so lucky to have crossed paths with Brooke at her ceramics class at Flower City Arts… she is one of the best teachers I have ever learned from and been inspired by over the years. I know she is missed dearly … lots of love to her family and friends.
I knew Brooke from high school she was always sweet wonderful happy positive and a true ray of light so very sad to hear of Her passing sending prayer love and light to her family for healing so sorry for this. Tremendous loss that her family now has ✨♥️🙏🏻♥️✨
Brook was a very special soul,
A talented potter,
She had Lovely energy,
A Positive attitude.
Sometimes life seems so unfair.
I was lucky to know her.
So sorry for the loss of Brook With her family and in the community❤️🩹
I discovered Brooke on Instagram. As I watched her wonderful videos and saw her ceramic style I became very taken and wowed. Her early work was what drew me to her. The Mishima technique is one I enjoy and Brooke had taken it to another level. I fell in love with her work and as I followed I began to know a little bit of who she was. Having family in Pittsford, Fairport and in the Rochester area I had hoped to meet her one day. Sadly I never did. At some point her work became bright and colorful, playful and full of life. It was at this point I became aware of her illness. I was extremely saddened and felt myself rooting for her to win this battle she had fought and won before. My own life became challenging over the past three years and I admit to losing touch. Today when I searched and found her last post in January my heart sank. I felt inspired and privileged to have this window into her world. I felt her loving warm spirit and desire to share her knowledge. She lifted my spirits many a day with her whimsical pots her music and her joy of life. I’m a better person for having watched her most graceful quiet fight for life through her work, her family and friends.
My very deepest condolences to you her family.