SHARON K. VAIRAMIDES

KINGSTON-Sharon K. Vairamides, 77, of Kingston died Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021 at Golden Hill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. She had been trying to ward off the advance of dementia for several years, and was diagnosed with bladder cancer in the last several months. Born Aug. 30, 1943 in Grand Forks, North Dakota she is the daughter of the late Fritz and Elaine (Johnson) Anderson.She was also predeceased by her special aunt and uncle, Hilda and Fred, as well as by a wonderful niece, Jill Streit.Sharon also suffered the death of her beloved son, Tasso, who was killed in an accident in Manhattan at the age of 15 in 1987. Sharon showed great courage in choosing to continue living her life to the fullest, largely in honor and memory of Tasso. Sharon graduated from NYU Phi Beta Kappa in 1965 with a degree in Art History. For the next three years she studied painting and sculpture at the New York Studio School in the Village. She later received a Masters in Library Science from Pratt. Sharon owned a bookstore in Park Slope – Womens Works – from 1977 to 1981. It became a feminist and lesbian gathering space which spawned a book group which meets to this day, and many lifelong friendships among the patrons. Sharon later worked at WomanBooks and Three Lives bookstores in Manhattan. Beginning in 1985 she worked as a Librarian at the Central Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza. She ended her career there as head of Language and Literature. Sharon curated an important reading series for 8 years hosted by Leonard Lopate called Brooklyn Writers for Brooklyn Readers. It was graced by old-timers like Paula Fox and Pete Hamill and newcomers like Colson Whitehead and Elizabeth Strout. While still working at BPL, Sharon studied botanical art at both the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the New York Botanical Garden, earning a certicate in botanical illustration from the latter. After moving to Kingston, she continued painting in watercolor and colored pencil. She had two successful one-woman shows and has numerous pieces in private collections. Sharon is survived by her spouse Lynn Johnson and their cat, Zoe, at home. She is also survived by her sister Caroline, and by Caroline’s daughter Kelly, her son Jeff, and their families, all of Minnesota. She is survived as well by her ex-husband Tony Vairamides of Brooklyn, and by Tony’s niece Irene of Greece, and Tony’s niece Katterina, her husband Lloyd, and their daughter Elena of New Rochelle. Aside from these family connections, Sharon is survived by many loyal, loving, and longtime friends from our Brooklyn years, as well as many newer loving friends from our time in Kingston since 2003. In all, Sharon’s life was lled with accomplishment (about which she rarely spoke), related mostly to books, art, and a knack for forming loving friendships. We were married on 12/13/2019 at Golden Hill by Mayor Steve Noble with close friends in attendance. We have been loving partners for 38 years. I will miss her forever, but cherish many beautiful memories of this very special person. Cremation arrangements are under the guidance of the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, Inc. 27 Smith Avenue, Kingston. www.jvleahyfh.com. A memorial will be held for Sharon when we can gather together again. Anyone wishing to donate in Sharon’s memory could give to Habitat for Humanity, your local ASPCA, or any charity of your choice.