Sharon (Broyles) Ondriska

Sharon (Broyles) Ondriska passed away on Thursday, March 6th 2025 at Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, New York with her loving family by her side.
Sharon was born on February 13th,1950 in Gloversville NY, the daughter of the late James and Kathryn (Pierce) Broyles.
Sharon was one of 3 siblings, Donna, Sharon, and Bonnie. She graduated from St. Patrick's Parochial School in 1964 and was a 1968 graduate of Johnstown High School.

Sharon made many cherished friends over her lifetime, during her years in school and in her work career.

Sharon's first job at 16 years old was at The Idle Hour restaurant, in Johnstown. It was there where she met the love of her life, Eddy. But they didn't start dating until Eddy made his big move at the Immaculate Conception Church Festival in Johnstown, where he said his now famous line " Are You Spending All Your Money." That did it for Sharon, and they started their love story 60 years strong!!
They were married on November the 2, 1968 at St. Patrick's Church in Johnstown NY.

They moved to the Albany area where Sharon started her long successful career with NYS Offices of Mental Health and OASAS the NYS office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse until her retirement in 2005.

Sharon was an avid sports fan, and anyone that knew her would often be greeted by "Hello Sports Fan". She loved all sports, especially the Baltimore Orioles baseball team and the Denver Broncos football team. She was an Indy race car enthusiast and loved going to Saratoga thoroughbred race track to watch the horses run. She could pick the winners too!!

She not only watched sports but participated in them. Sharon loved to play softball, bowl, and ride her bike.
Sharon and Eddy rode their bikes many miles together, and they participated every year in the Tour De Cure American Diabetes Association bicycle race.

Sharon enjoyed accompanying Eddy to the train show conventions around the country, and also riding steam locomotives, especially in Durango Colorado, and Strasburg, Pennsylvania.

Sharon loved all her family deeply. She was the best aunt to all her nieces and nephews. She was generous beyond generous with her time and money.

But Sharon's complete love, loyalty, and protection went to her true love Eddy. He was her world. They were like Two Turtle Doves, mates for life.

Sharon lived her life to the fullest!!  She had a great work ethic, but when work was over, it was time for fun!!  And fun they had!! Sharon loved traveling all over the USA with Eddy, especially to Hawaii, Colorado, California and taking pictures, capturing all their adventures to share with family. Sharon absolutely loved going to parades and fairs!

Sharon had a very strong faith in God and in the Catholic religion. Sharon never failed to thank God for all her blessings of family, friends, and for sending Eddy her way.
The Lord was first in her life, and she always listened to his words. So much so, that when she was taken seriously ill, she knew that God was calling her home, even before we were ready to let her go.

Sharon's motto may have read," Love the Lord first, love your family deeply, work hard, and have fun, yes, always make time to have fun."

Sharon is survived by her beloved husband Edward Ondriska, her sister, Bonnie Steenburgh (Paul), brother-in-law Thomas Ondriska, brother-in-law William Ondriska, and his significant other Nancy Coon, her son Larry, nieces Julie Ondriska-Bogardus, Lori Ondriska Hogan (Alan), Maren Ondriska, Danielle Soliman(Farouk), Molly Mesibov (Darren), Claire Yvars (Collin), and nephew Jacob Tennis (Brooke), and several great nieces and nephews. Sharon was pre-deceased by her sister Donna and sister- in- law Shirley Ondriska. She was a wonderful pet aunt to her little buddy Bailey, the toy poodle, and to Felix, the cat.

Visitation and viewing hours for family & friends will be held at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Avenue, Schenectady NY 12306, from 3-6pm on Sunday March 16th.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Gabriel Church 3040 Hamburg Street, Rotterdam, NY, 12303  at 10am on March 17th.
Interment will be at Sts. Cyril & Method Cemetery, Duanesburg Road (route 7), Rotterdam NY, 12306 immediately following the funeral service.

Donations can be made in Sharon Ondriska's memory to The American Diabetes Association, P.O Box 7023 Merrifield, VA. 22116-7023 or to St. Gabriel's Church food pantry, 3040 Hamburg St. Rotterdam NY, 12303