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Sharon Smith Leonard - Class of 1964

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 03/Sep/2025
71.223.128.109

    Sharon Cathryn Leonard of Oneida, N.Y., formerly of Cornwall, NY passed away on Friday, August 15th after over a year of illness. She was the daughter of William G. and Edna M. (Clifford) Smith, and was born on February 5th 1946 in Newburgh N.Y. She was a 1964 graduate of Newburgh Free Academy, and received a B.F.A in Art Education/Ceramics from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1968. She furthered her graduate education at SUNY and Pace University. After college she was a middle school art teacher in Barrington R.I., and then worked as an "au Pair" and several other temporary jobs in Italy. After returning to the U.S., she took a job as an apprentice optician, and her career in optics began.

Sharon was a New York State licensed optician and contact lens practitioner, and also served on the Board of Directors for the National Academy of Opticianry, The American Board of Opticianry, the National Federation of Opticianry Schools, and the Commission for Opticianry Accreditation, the NY State Board for Ophthalmic Dispensing, and was heavily involved in the design and administration of opticianry licensing and certification exams. She was a continuing education speaker for opticianry conferences throughout the U.S., a technical writer for First Vision Media, and Lead Instructor/Ophthalmic Dispensing at Interboro Institute in Manhattan N.Y. for twelve years. She was the first woman to be elected President of the New York State Society of Opticians. Sharon also donated her time and expertise to ophthalmic medical missions in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Haiti.

Surviving are the children of her first marriage, Colleen and Colin, both of whom she was extraordinarily proud. In her later years she met, and married, Keith Leonard of Oneida N.Y. He was also a licensed optician, and operated an optical lab in Oneida. They shared their love of fly fishing, art, dog sledding, skiing, and traveled the North American continent with trips ranging from Newfoundland to Alaska. Keith was also a well known area watercolor artist, and they both served on the Board of Directors of the Rome Art Association. Keith predeceased her in 2020. They enjoyed over 20 years of travel, love, and companionship.

She is survived by her children, and much adored grandchildren; Colleen Breivogel (daughters Liliana and Ophelia) of Newburgh N.Y., and son Colin Breivogel and his wife Sarah (children Liam and Lainey) of Scotch Plains N.J. Additionally, she leaves nieces Kate (Jim) Spillman of MD, Patricia Ownes of OH, and Laurie Smith of VA. Also, Keith's cousins and good friends, Dennis and Christine Jones of Ilion, NY and their family, and the best friends and neighbors ever; Dave and Pam (Bodnar) McDonald, Ernest and Lori Butler, and Sue Gardinier of Verona NY. They were a huge help during trying times. From Sharon and family, a special thanks to the doctors and staff at the Upstate University Hospital Cancer Center in Verona, NY, the Oneida Health Hospital, and Abraham House in Rome.

She was predeceased by her parents, much loved big brother William (Bill) Smith, and sister-in-law Frances Mustico-Smith, and first husband Francis Breivogel.

At her request the funeral arrangements are private. Donations are welcomed:

https://www.theabrahamhouse.org/ways-to-support/donate/#

Or call Abraham House at: 315-733-8210