Sharon L. Angeli was born October 16, 1945 in Reno, the youngest of three daughters born to Ugo Angeli and Amelia Adele Cecchini.
She made local headlines shortly before her death when a successful media campaign made known her request for fresh watermelon, which was not readily available in Reno at the time.
Two local housewives contributed canned watermelon balls, but the search continued for fresh fruits to appease the dying girl.
Finally, on February 25, 1950, with the cooperation of the Reno Chamber of Commerce and the Braniff International, American, and United Airlines, two fresh watermelons were flown directly from Mexico to Sharon's bedside.
Less than two months later, she passed away at home of undifferentiated neuroblastoma, one of the most common childhood cancers.
Besides her parents, Sharon was survived by two sisters: Mrs. Betty Ghiglieri and Miss Dorothy Angeli, both of Reno; her grandmother, Katie Cecchini of Sparks; and her grandfather, Natale Angeli of Italy.
She made local headlines shortly before her death when a successful media campaign made known her request for fresh watermelon, which was not readily available in Reno at the time.
Two local housewives contributed canned watermelon balls, but the search continued for fresh fruits to appease the dying girl.
Finally, on February 25, 1950, with the cooperation of the Reno Chamber of Commerce and the Braniff International, American, and United Airlines, two fresh watermelons were flown directly from Mexico to Sharon's bedside.
Less than two months later, she passed away at home of undifferentiated neuroblastoma, one of the most common childhood cancers.
Besides her parents, Sharon was survived by two sisters: Mrs. Betty Ghiglieri and Miss Dorothy Angeli, both of Reno; her grandmother, Katie Cecchini of Sparks; and her grandfather, Natale Angeli of Italy.
Sharon L. Angeli was born October 16, 1945 in Reno, the youngest of three daughters born to Ugo Angeli and Amelia Adele Cecchini.
She made local headlines shortly before her death when a successful media campaign made known her request for fresh watermelon, which was not readily available in Reno at the time.
Two local housewives contributed canned watermelon balls, but the search continued for fresh fruits to appease the dying girl.
Finally, on February 25, 1950, with the cooperation of the Reno Chamber of Commerce and the Braniff International, American, and United Airlines, two fresh watermelons were flown directly from Mexico to Sharon's bedside.
Less than two months later, she passed away at home of undifferentiated neuroblastoma, one of the most common childhood cancers.
Besides her parents, Sharon was survived by two sisters: Mrs. Betty Ghiglieri and Miss Dorothy Angeli, both of Reno; her grandmother, Katie Cecchini of Sparks; and her grandfather, Natale Angeli of Italy.
She made local headlines shortly before her death when a successful media campaign made known her request for fresh watermelon, which was not readily available in Reno at the time.
Two local housewives contributed canned watermelon balls, but the search continued for fresh fruits to appease the dying girl.
Finally, on February 25, 1950, with the cooperation of the Reno Chamber of Commerce and the Braniff International, American, and United Airlines, two fresh watermelons were flown directly from Mexico to Sharon's bedside.
Less than two months later, she passed away at home of undifferentiated neuroblastoma, one of the most common childhood cancers.
Besides her parents, Sharon was survived by two sisters: Mrs. Betty Ghiglieri and Miss Dorothy Angeli, both of Reno; her grandmother, Katie Cecchini of Sparks; and her grandfather, Natale Angeli of Italy.
