August 2, 1941 ~ June 21, 2025
A feisty, passionate, kind, and beautiful woman
PORTVILLE – Sharon W. Hill-McLarney, 83, of Portville passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 21, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born August 2, 1941, in Olean, Sharon was the daughter of the late William and Wilda (McBryar) Hill.
Sharon grew up in Portville with her parents and her sister Becky. She often shared funny stories with her family about the antics she and her sister would get into while growing up in Portville. They also spent many wonderful summers in Fairhaven, NY with their parents, learning to swim in the channel and enjoying time together. As teenagers, they later welcomed their little brother Joe into the family. Sharon attended Portville High School and graduated in 1959. She then attended Alfred State College where she studied secretarial services. She worked briefly at Dresser Rand before she married Joseph Charles McLarney on July 21, 1962, and welcomed four beautiful children into the world.
Sharon was an active member of the Portville PTA and represented it on the state level. She and her husband ran the Portville Sports Boosters for several years and Sharon also served on the Portville School Board. She was a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Portville, where she served as a ruling elder for several years.
After raising her children, Sharon rejoined the workforce by serving as the Chief of Staff for the late NY Assemblywoman and later Senator Patricia K. “Pat” McGee. She loved the camaraderie of that office and grew a real passion for politics. Sharon had a deep love for all the wonderful friends she made throughout her lifetime.
Sharon is survived by her husband, Joe, with whom she would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary next month. She is also survived by three of her four children and her four grandchildren: her son, Patrick Joseph McLarney, and grandson, Ryan Patrick McLarney, of Webster, NY; her son, Michael Brendan McLarney, of Atlanta, GA; and her daughter, Julie Sharon McLarney-Pagett, along with her “favorite son-in-law”, John Pagett, and her three grandchildren, Jack Charles Pagett, and Megan Sidney Pagett, of Portville, NY and Christine Abigail Pagett of Lakewood, OH. She is also survived by her sister, Rebecca (Frederick) Powell of Mechanicsburg, PA, and her brother, Joseph (Stephanie) Hill of New Cumberland, PA, as well as many other beloved family members.
In a heartbreaking loss, Sharon and Joe’s second child and oldest daughter, Christine Rebecca McLarney, passed away as an infant. She was born on December 27, 1965, and died May 2, 1966. In addition to her parents and her daughter, Sharon was also predeceased by her niece, Summer Hill.
Sharon loved life. She loved her family and absolutely adored her grandchildren. Sharon loved to read, play Bingo, go to the casino with her sister Becky, watch tv/movies, garden, and especially spend time with family and friends around their pool. Sharon had a very strong sense of faith and is now at peace with her God.
A Celebration of Sharon’s Life will take place at the First Presbyterian Church of Portville on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 10 a.m. with a reception to follow. Burial will be in Chestnut Hill Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
Memorials if desired, may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 765, Portville, NY 14770.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc., 1303 E. State St, Olean.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.guentherfh.com
