Sharon Rae Currier

Sharon Rae Merrill Currier passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025, surrounded by love as she embarked on her spiritual journey. Born in Boston on October 17, 1943, she was the beloved daughter of Frances (Locatelli) Merrill and Raymond Earle Merrill. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Ray.

Sharon grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts, and attended Lexington public schools before enrolling at Chapel Hill School in Waltham. She went on to study Interior Design at LaSalle College, where she discovered her lifelong passion for creating spaces that uplift and inspire.

After marrying her husband, Art, the two shared a lifetime of adventure and partnership that spanned 64 years. Together, with their first son Chris, they lived in many places — from Ithaca, NY, during their time at Cornell University, to Detroit, MI, with Ford, to Alexandria, VA, Orleans, France, and Tacoma, WA — before finally settling in Amherst, NH, where their second son, Clark, was born. The family moved to Newburyport, MA, in 1977, where they made their cherished home.

Sharon’s creative spirit and eye for design led her to early work with Millyard Interiors in Manchester, NH, and later with Atmospheres in Newburyport, MA. Her talent and vision soon inspired her to open her own firm in 1979, offering thoughtful, high-value interior design services tailored to each client. Over her distinguished career, Sharon and her design team completed more than 1,000 projects for national, regional, and local clients. She was particularly proud of her work designing healing and nurturing environments for hospitals, clinics, senior living communities, and Alzheimer’s memory care residences.

Beyond her professional achievements, Sharon was deeply committed to her community. She served as a Corporator of Anna Jacques Hospital and as a Director on the boards of both the YWCA and the Newburyport Bank. She also found great fulfillment in mentoring the next generation of designers, supporting more than 25 young professionals through internships that encouraged creativity, compassion, and environmental stewardship.

Most importantly, Sharon was defined by her adventurous spirit and deep devotion to her family. As a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and best friend, she embraced life fully and treasured everyone around her. Whether skiing in the mountains, boating along the North Shore, or tending her garden and contributing to the Newburyport Garden Club, Sharon lived each day with an indescribable joy and enthusiasm for life.

Sharon will be lovingly remembered by her devoted husband, Art; her sons, Chris Currier (Michele Spinelli) and Clark Currier (Jill Morgan); and her adored granddaughters, Gracie and Aislin Jacar. She also leaves behind her cherished “sisters” Linda Wendt, Barbara Jamgochian, and Marilyn Maddison, several nieces and nephews, as well as many dear relatives and friends across the United States and Norway.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated teams at PORT Rehabilitation and Healthcare and Harborside Hospice for their compassionate care.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, November 21, from 3:30 to 7:30 PM at Elliott, Woodworth & Rogers Funeral Home on Green Street in Newburyport. A Celebration of Life will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 22, at Fiske Chapel, Belleville Congregational Church, 300 High Street, Newburyport. Zoom link for remote participation is: https://zoom.us/j/96558693900. The Intermittent will immediately follow the celebration of life. Sharon’s burial will take place at a later date at Westview Cemetery in Lexington, MA. In place of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://events.alz.org/fundraisers/artcurrier/sharon-currier