Sharon A. Leis

March 20, 1945 – May 2, 2026

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Sharon A. Leis on May 2, 2026, and spent her final days surrounded by loved ones.

Sharon (Butler) Leis was born in Brooklyn, NY, on March 20, 1945, to the late James and Regina (Timmons) Butler. The fourth of six children, Sharon spent her entire life surrounded by a large and loving family. She often acknowledged her birthday as the first day of Spring, to which her personality was as lively and spirited as the season she so loved.

Sharon was a devout Catholic and member of the Catholic Daughters of America through Sacred Heart Church in Newburgh, NY, and volunteered her time as a religious educator at Holy Name of Mary-Assumption parish in Montgomery, NY, and often serving her community in various ways over many years. She was particularly fond of her communion classes and proudly guided the community through faith for over 20 years. She was a beloved staff member at Orange-Ulster BOCES in Pine Bush for more than two decades, impacting the lives of so many children. Prior to relocating to Newburgh, NY, in the 1980s, she lived a vibrant life in Park Slope filled with adventures and friends. She often shared stories of visiting Coney Island or the Jersey Shore every weekend in her 20s and her array of exciting jobs in Manhattan during her younger years from the Coast Guard to Kelly Girl.

Fashion-forward in every way, she was always dressed to impress from a floral blouse to her signature lipstick and pearl earrings. She never met a party she didn’t like and relished in hosting her family and everyone in between each Christmas Eve. No matter the occasion, she was guaranteed to be the last one to leave. A gorgeous decorator, an avid lover of flowers, both arranged and in her garden, and a shopper through and through, she’ll be remembered through all the little things she loved and we’ll think of her every time we look up at the moon.

It was impossible not to adore Sharon – the kind of person who could strike up a conversation with a complete stranger. Known for her warmth and wit, her impact on the lives she touched is immeasurable. She thoroughly enjoyed getting to know new people and sharing in the simple joys of life. Above all else, she adored her family and could be found spending time in the company of others, especially her beloved grandchildren Emily, Noah, McCullen, Eve, and great granddaughter Aurora. As you would frequently hear her say, there was no greater joy to her than being a mother, and that shined through in her love for her two daughters – Jennifer and Regina.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Reverend James Butler. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters: Jennifer Conklin and Daniel Childs, and Regina Reznick and her husband, Jacob; grandchildren: Emily Conklin Barone and her husband, Andrew, Noah Conklin and Morgan Maier, McCullen Conklin, and Eve Reznick; great grandchildren: Aurora Barone and soon-to-be great grandson; siblings: Elaine Riley, Carol Serrao, Thomas Butler, and Cynthia Fajardo; goddaughter Michele (Serrao) Scesa, and many beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins. She is irreplaceable and will be dearly missed. We hope that she’s enjoying a hot cup of tea with her mom and dad smiling down on us right now.

Visiting hours will be held from 3:00-7:00pm on Wednesday, May 6, at Gridley-Horan Funeral Home in Walden, NY. A mass in her memory will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, May 7, at Holy Name of Mary-Assumption Church in Montgomery, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Catholic Charities USA or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.