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628 North Broadway
Saratoga Springs, New York
Sharon Boyd Obituary
She was born April 2, 1944 in Newark, New Jersey, to Ruth Petersen Walker and Lt. Lewis Midgely Walker, Jr. (USNR), while he was serving in combat in the Pacific theater of World War Two.
Sharon attended public schools in New Jersey, graduating from Westfield High School in 1962. At Skidmore College, she majored in studio art, studying under the artist Arnold Bittleman. Sharon was the photo editor of her Skidmore graduating class 1966 yearbook, returning to assist with photography for the 1967 yearbook under the mentorship of the photographer Joseph Alper. As a student, she created the portrait sculpture of Lena Spencer that today watches over performances at Caffe Lena.
After graduation from Skidmore, she promptly embarked on a campaign to help others. Her first job was with the New York City Police Athletic League, organizing youth basketball games. She later did social work for New York City, the State of New Mexico and Schenectady Head Start before co-founding Saratoga County's first day care center in 1970.
She continued her social work on the in-patient mental health unit at Saratoga Hospital under the leadership of Dr. Xavier Mastrianni in the 1970s, then with the Economic Opportunity Council's senior citizen lunch program. In the 1980s, she turned full time to rearing her own children after their adoptions from Colombia, SA.
In later years, she became a freelance professional gardener, and was among the devoted local alumnae who volunteered to maintain the Skidmore College Alumni Memorial Garden on North Broadway. For many years, she sang with both the Bethesda Episcopal Church choir and the Skidmore Community Chorus. As a community activist, she was a tireless advocate for women's reproductive rights, and was active in many political campaigns, briefly serving as chair of the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee in 2006 and 2007.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Gordon McArthur Boyd; daughter Louisa Boyd Wolverton (Austin) of Huntersville, NC; son James Walker Boyd (Kaitlynn); grandsons Leandro, Cruz and Xavi, all of Saratoga Springs; sister June Walker Rodman (Nathaniel) of Chapel Hill, NC; and brothers Lewis M. Walker III (Leigh), of Greenville, SC and Geoffrey Walker of Phoenix, AZ; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws.
Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday October 27 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518-584-5373).
A choral Eucharist will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday October 28 at Bethesda Episcopal Church, 26 Washington Street. Immediately following the service, all are invited to a reception at Embassy Suites Hotel, 86 Congress Street, where there will be an "open mic" for testimonial statements by friends and family members. Parking for both the church and hotel is accessible from Congress Street.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to RISE Housing and Support Services, 127 Union Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Donations may be made online at: www.riseservices.org
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Sharon Boyd
Sponsored by William J. Burke & Sons / Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes.
Carol Kurto
March 27, 2025
Thinking of lovely Sharon today. What a ray of sun shine she always was. That endearing smile and her profound love for Gordon and her children was immeasurable. Peace and Love be with you all today! ♥♥carol Kurto
Debby Mayer
November 14, 2023
What a wonderful obituary! May Sharon rest in peace and may her memory be a comfort to her family and friends. -Debby Mayer, Skidmore 1968
Louisa Wolverton
November 3, 2023
l love you mom
Bettijane Olive
October 29, 2023
We will all miss Sharon for her pure warmth and love we were always met with on every visit I remember since I was a child. To hear how much love and strength she has spread throughout her life is inspiring. We share the grieve of the whole family, she will be so missed by us.
Love, BJ, Dan & Grace xxx
Tina Chery
October 28, 2023
Rest in peace my Angel I love you!!! I will keep the faith alive
Sarah Goodwin
October 28, 2023
Sharon was a force of goodness in the world. To know her was to know her warmth and kindness and generosity. I´m sure many people will carry that with them, as I will. What a loss.
Joyce Cole
October 27, 2023
We will all miss Sharon's smile and ready wit. She always brought alot to a conversation from her knowledge of many things and deep kind spirit. I know that all will celebrate her example of a life well lived.
October 27, 2023
We have never met anyone quite like Sharon. So incredibly caring, welcoming and understanding. She was always cheerful, positive, and would go out of her way to be helpful to everyone around her. The world would be a better place if everyone were a little more like her. Words can not express how much we miss her. Seth, Heidi and Aurora
Max Olive
October 26, 2023
Dear Gordy, Louisa, James and family,
Our love and deepest sympathies from across the pond. I’ll remember Auntie Sharon as always so kind and generous with her hospitality, greeting us with the widest smile and open arms.
It always surprised me how accommodating, open and generous Gordy and Sharon were when we’ve visited, Louisa and James the same and I think this is testament to their upbringing - they have kind hearts and hold family close. I can see they are doing a great job building families of their own too and I know Sharon was a huge inspiration to you all in this regard.
We look forward to our next trip, it won’t be the same without Sharon there to greet us, but I know her warm spirit will live on in you all and serve you well. Max and Lizzie
Kenny Wilkins
October 25, 2023
To my lifetime friend Gordon, and to your incredible loving family,
I/we can only imagine the devastation you are currently experiencing, but please know that your astonishing Sharon has her loving arms, heart and incredible smile, encasing each and everyone of you 24/7, so please revel in her unbelievable depth of Soul, and draw strength and comfort going forward.
We began together at St. George's many moons ago Sir, and 52 years ago, a gift from God entered your life and so many others, and proceeded to enrich and enhance thousands of lives Earth-wide.
Sharon, we are ALL so much better because of you Sweets!!!
May God bless and nurture,
Larry Bulman
October 23, 2023
Dear Gordon and Family,
Vicki and I send much love, many prayers, and our deepest sympathy to Sharon's beloved family, circle of friends and everyone she touched. We were blessed to know Sharon and fondly remember our wonderful time together attending many community and political events over the years. She was a very organized and compassionate leader that could be tenacious when the cause required it! Most importantly she taught us all that nothing was more important than family. I always appreciated her guidance and advice. May Sharon Rest In Eternal Peace
Sally Boyd
October 23, 2023
When we remember Sharon, there are three words that particularly come to mind: courage, creativity and the Swedish word gästfrihet, which means so much more than English hospitality. There were many times during her life that Sharon showed tremendous courage, not the least when she decided to marry Gordon after only a short courtship – and to provide him and later the children and grandchildren with love and support for 52 years. During the past year, she showed great courage during her illness.
Sharon’s creative talent and sensibility were strong throughout her life: in her photography, in her gardening, in her artwork and in collecting beautiful things and decorating their home. She loved to find unusual items that had been forgotten by others – they should always be a bargain!
Most of all we remember Sharon’s boundless, generous and loving gästfrihet (literally ‘guest freedom’) whose closest translation would be hospitality. She welcomed us on so many occasions and did everything to make our visits enjoyable and memorable; nothing was too much trouble. We have relived many of these visits now, going through old photographs of the happy times we spent in Saratoga and New Hampshire together. But she also welcomed so many, many others. The kitchen on Circular Street and the house on State Street were always open to friends and family, for short visits or longer stays. We were particularly grateful for her gästfrihet toward our son Seth, when he spent many weekends on State Street during his internship in Albany. She made the house a haven to so many friends and family members. We will all miss her, but hope to carry on her courage, creativity and gästfrihet.
Sally Boyd, Åke, Ivar and Seth Sander
Colette Odell
October 22, 2023
I met lovely Sharon Boyd and her family many years ago, at St. George's Episcopal Church. We easily became friends, as we had several interests in common. Sharon was very helpful to me during a challenging time, as I know she was to others. I am sure she will be deeply missed throughout the area. My sincere condolences to Gordon, Louisa, and James. May Sharon rest peacefully in the nearer presence of Christ. -Colette Odell, Clifton Park, NY
Emma Wohl
October 22, 2023
I only had the pleasure of meeting Sharon in person once, last year. However, we had many phone conversations, where I could strongly feel her soft and bright presence through the phone. Louisa and I deeply bonded over our very close relationships with our mothers, and noticed quickly how similar they were. I had the pleasure of learning all about her through Louisa's lenses. She was a remarkable woman. Intelligent, incredibly kind, artistic, a true mensch. My heart goes out to the entire Boyd family through this grieving process. I am so sorry for your loss. May her memory be a blessing.
Mike McNulty
October 22, 2023
Gordon and Family: Sharon´s was a life well lived. I am very sorry for your loss.
Polly Windels
October 20, 2023
One of the best ones is gone.
karin welsh
October 20, 2023
Sharon was a model to us all of caring and then doing. Her grace, her kindness, her warmth and her spreading of love and joy were endless. So also was her kindness to us all when we were going through what Gordon, her family and her friends are feeling now with her loss in our lives. I have been playing Dave Carter and Tracey Grammer's When I go for solace and beauty in language and in music- two things Sharon cherished. We will always remember her attention and care to Sarah Braveman and others as they proceeded into aging and eventually their passage out of this life. Thank you for being you, Sharon. With love, Karin
Sean Cohan
October 20, 2023
Sharon was one of those people who was a great influence in my youth, and I will never forget her generosity and encouraging words. Sympathies to you, Gordon and family, from our family. She certainly left her mark on so many in a wonderful way.
Wayne Anderson
October 20, 2023
Looking forward to seeing Sharon here on earth in Gods Kingdom under the rule of. His son, Jesus Christ, when man’s rule is removed and Gods rule begins in paradise. Gordon, so sorry for your loss.
Marcia Hellwig &Family
October 19, 2023
Gordon Iam so sorry to hear of Sharon’s passing. I met you both so manny years ago when you came to my store I loved our talks and she was always so pleasant. May she rest in peace.
Mary Olive
October 19, 2023
Sharon was a wonderful friend, sister in law, mother, artist. She brought her caring, loving personality to everyone who knew her and no problem was too small for her care and attention. She appreciated the beautiful everywhere - in the garden, in other people, in the creative way she reacted to sights and sounds. We will miss her warm welcome, her caring smile, and gentle ways. We will miss her readiness to listen as well as speak and her love for all her friends and family. We send love and support to Gordon, Louisa, Austin, James, Kate, Leo, Cruz and Xavi. She will always be with you.
John Dunlop
October 18, 2023
I won the lottery when i was born because I was lucky enough to be born into the same family as Sharon so I have known her for all of my 68 years. Her grandfather and my grandmother were born to Danish immigrants in the far reaches of Northern Wisconsin in the late 19th century. Life was very difficult for them there but they had the good fortune to have family in Brooklyn NY that arranged for the two of them to come east where my grandmother introduced Sharon's grandfather to his future wife, a Swedish immigrant named Esther. So much of Sharon's generosity, spirit and love come from them and our extended family that were all influential in our lives.
I have so many memories of Sharon going back to my childhood and every single one is filled with caring and love because that was Sharon at her core.
While I will miss her forever I am so grateful that she has been a part of my life for this long.
John Dunlop
Carol and Peter Kurto
October 18, 2023
Sharon and I have been friends since the early 70´s when we were both involved with the establishment of the first Day Care Center in Saratoga. From the moment I met her, I was amazed by her compassion, energy and commitment to social injustice. Not only has Sharon accomplished so much in her life, but she always took the time to listen and respond with a sympathetic word. Her talents were many, whether it was photography, gardening , or fighting for a cause she believed in. Her greatest joy, however , came when her eyes lit up and she talked about her children, grandchildren and of course, her husband, Gordon. It is with admiration and sympathy that I send out my thoughts and prayers to her dear family and friends. She was truly an amazing person and will be missed by so many. Peter and I send our love and peace to all of Sharon´s friends and family. Her spirit will live on within all her knew her.
Carol and Peter Kurto
Lois Lippincottpino
October 17, 2023
To Gordon And Family
My heart reaches out to you each on the loss of your beloved wife, mother & Grandmother. My prayers are with you in these difficult times ahead. May you feel God’s love and comfort as it surrounds you and guides you.
Our prayers & love to you
Lois & Jaime Pino
Joan & Angel Berenguer
October 17, 2023
Dear Boyd Family: How lucky we’ve been to have had Sharon in our lives, sharing her warm smile, gentle ways, interesting thoughts and wonder-filled observations of beauty in the world. Sharon was always offering up her positivity, artistry and care for others, and we’re grateful for so many loving memories of her.
Much love, Angel, Joan, Celia , Paloma
mary lynch
October 17, 2023
God bless Sharon. Please take care Gordon.
Jean Huff
October 17, 2023
Gordon, Louisa and James
I am so sorry for your enormous loss.
Sharon was the kindest, most loving , and generous, caring person I have ever know.
Godspeed. She will always be with you.
Jean Huff
Cherie Grey
October 17, 2023
Thank you for using this photo of Sharon smiling because she was always ready with a warm smile to all she knew and those she just met.
Jeff and Brenda Vredenburg
October 17, 2023
Dear Gordon and Family,
Jeff and I send our love, prayers, and deepest sympathy to you all. We will always remember and cherish our many, and very happy memories of countless hours of praying and singing together with both of you. We also remember our walks up to Skidmore and and then by your lovely home and gorgeous gardens!!!!! Sharon introduced us to so many beautiful varieties of Ferns and Hosta! ...her love for sharing for expertise in gardening filled others (like us) with joy! Big Daddy and Guacamole were two of our very favorites!!! They flourished in our backyard and then we shared them with others as Sharon taught us. We also recall a lovely afternoon tea iwht you and Sharon on your back porch - a delightful Sunday afternoon!
May Sharon Rest in Peace, fly high, and sing with all the choirs of Angels and Saints of God.
God bless you and your dear family and grant you peace in the days to come.
Love, Jeff and Brenda
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William J. Burke & Sons / Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
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