Sarah Josephine Parkyn, 89, of Delmar, died Thursday, October 3, 2013 after a short stay at Wicomico Nursing Home in Salisbury. She was born November 21, 1923 in Galestown, a daughter of the late Edward Luther Wheatley and Nettie Eskridge Wheatley. Josephine graduated from Goldey Business College in Wilmington. After college she went to work for the Hamilton Watch Company in Wilmington before becoming a switchboard operator for the phone company. During the war she worked as a secretary and clerk in a civil service job. After the war she returned to the area and worked alongside of her husband owning and operating Peninsula Market in Walston Switch. She had a love for animals and trained her two German Shepherds, Duke and Sheba, to be wonderful companions and excellent guard dogs. She had a love for collectibles and working in the kitchen at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, where she attended for many years. She enjoyed entertaining and hosting family get- togethers, working in her yard and beautiful flower gardens and chatting with neighbors and friends. She got true pleasure from decorating for Christmas. It usually took her months to carefully prepare each room and each decoration had to be just right. She loved having visitors at her home during the Christmas season to share her Christmas spirit. She is survived by a sister, Madge W. Oliphant of Laurel; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband; Fred Parkyn; sisters, Jane Oliphant and Dot Henry; and brothers, Jack Wheatley, Seth Wheatley and William Wheatley. A funeral service will be held on Monday, October 7, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Short Funeral Home in Delmar, where family and friends may call from 10:00 to 11:00. The Reverend Rebecca Rollins will officiate. Interment will follow at Galestown Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 32827 Old Stage Road, Laurel, DE 19956, or Wheatley's United Methodist Church, c/o Beverly Wheatley, 5833 Wheatley's Church Road, Seaford, DE 19973, or Galestown United Methodist Church, 5541 Newhart Mill Road , Galestown, MD 21659. Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.