Sharyn L. Houlihan

Sharyn Leigh Hines Houlihan, age 77, passed away peacefully at St. Peter’s Hospital on October 10, 2026, surrounded by the love of her cherished family.

Sherry was born in Schenectady, New York on July 31, 1949, daughter of the late Jack and Eva (Short) Hines. She grew up in Colonie with her beloved parents and older brother Jay, graduating from Colonie Central High School in 1967. Shortly thereafter, she began her career with the New York State Office of General Services, where she met the love of her life Michael in 1973, after joining a bowling league together. Mike and Sherry married on May 24, 1975.

Together they had three children - Michael Patrick Jr., Brian Michael, and Tiffany Leigh - all of whom adored their mother beyond measure. In addition to the joy that comes from being a mother, Sherry loved to crochet, read, and play slots at the casino. She also loved nurturing family traditions, such as baking Christmas cookies from recipes passed down from her mother and taking the family on an annual trip to the Ridin’ Hy Dude Ranch.

Sherry worked at OGS for nearly 38 years before retiring in 2004. She was promoted to “Nana” in 2007, which quickly became her most treasured title. Nana carried forward her most beloved traditions over the past nearly 20 years, from Sunday dinners to birthday and holiday celebrations, the most anticipated of which was Christmas mornings at the Houlihans, where she was the architect of the purest form of Christmas magic - there was nothing she loved more than spending months selecting the perfect gifts for her grandchildren and then watching their immeasurable joy as they tore through a seemingly endless pile of presents, followed by a giant family breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, muffins, and the best toast in all the land.

In 2012, Sherry decided to resume the family tradition of visiting the Ridin’ Hy Dude Ranch so that her children could carry their love of the trip forward to their children. For the past 14 years sans 2020, Nana’s 5, then 6, then 7 grandchildren spent Memorial Day Weekend with one another swimming, fishing, paddleboating, playing bingo, riding (and feeding) the horses, swinging in the hammocks, eating 4th meal, hunting for road apples, pink socks, and four-leaf clovers, searching for golden horseshoes, and most sacredly, sharing each meal together. It has been the greatest of times.

Sherry is survived by her loving husband of 51 years Michael Houlihan, Sr., her devoted children Michael Jr. (Jennifer) Houlihan, Brian (Kristi) Houlihan, and Tiffany (Elaine) Houlihan, and her beloved grandchildren Jared (Jaden) and Madison Monington, Matthew, Jack, Eva Leigh, Chase, and Cullen Houlihan, and her brand new great grandbaby Lainey Monington. She is also survived by her brother Jay (Jean) Hines, along with several nephews, nieces, cousins, and her brother and sisters-in-law.

She was pre-deceased by her parents Jack and Eva Hines and her in-laws Victor and Joan Houlihan - in her final days, the notion of being with her parents again brought her a great deal of peace.

Sherry’s family would like to thank her wonderful doctors, the amazing nurses, and supportive patient care technicians who cared for her in recent years, with special thanks to caretakers

Wilma Roberts and Pepita Houck, who truly became her friends. The family is also very grateful for Derek LeCakes, who came to her bedside several times for prayers in her final days.Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Thursday, October 15, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home at 343 New Karner Road in Colonie. A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026 at 10:00 am at the funeral home. Internment will immediately follow at Memory Gardens in Colonie. 

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Sherry in a special way may send a contribution to The Community Hospice Foundation at St. Peter’s Hospital.