NASSAU—Sharon Marie Gaffney, 53, died July 5, 2009 of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer has unknown causes and is difficult to detect early. It is the fifth leading cause of death for women with cancer.
Ms. Gaffney was born in Middletown, Conn., in 1956 to Connie (Milardo) and the late Vincent Gaffney. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, she also held an M.A. in U.S. history from SUNY Stony Brook and an M.L.S. from Long Island University. She was the librarian at Ichabod Crane High School in Valatie, where she loved both the students and the staff. It is her hope that they will educate themselves about ovarian cancer and keep reading books in her memory.
Ms. Gaffney is survived by her three beloved daughters, Heidi Hummel of Colonie, Heather Codner of Sommerville, Mass., and Trista Neinast of Arlington, Va.; her sons-in-law Nathaniel Hummel and Colin Codner; her mother and her sister, Susan Gaffney, of Westbrook, Conn.; and a brother, Richard Gaffney and his family of Southbury, Conn. She also leaves her supportive and loving husband, Rich Neinast of Nassau and her precious granddaughter, Hailey Hummel, of Colonie.
Ms. Gaffney is survived by many wonderful friends, including her colleagues and students at Ichabod Crane and her sisters at Caring Together. Most appreciated were her nurse practitioners Lisa and Annie, her chemo nurses, the two Kims and the rest of the wonderful staff at Women’s Cancer Care Associates who were so kind and supportive throughout her illness. Most recently she was descended upon by a group of angels, her Hospice team.
Ms. Gaffney loved nature and animals, even foxes. She was an avid gardener, an aspiring runner and an animal advocate. Additionally, she leaves her two cats, BBG and Kit-10, and her dog, Jake Gaffney.
A mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday, July 9 at 11 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Church, Route 9, Valatie, with the Rev. John Molyn officiating. Calling hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Inc., Route 9, Valatie.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to Animalkind, P. O. Box 920, 721 Warren Street, Hudson NY 12534 or to Whiskers Animal Benevolent League, P. O. Box 11190, Albany, NY 12211.
