Sharon A. Perry.

Sharon A. Perry

1941-2026

ILION - Sharon A. (Matthews) Perry, age 84, of E. River St., Ilion, passed away peacefully and surrounded by love on August 3, 2026 at Bassett Medical Center.

Sharon was born on Nov. 24, 1941 in Utica; the daughter of Frederick and Glada (Christian) Matthews. She was educated at West Winfield School and Ilion High School. Sharon married Donald “Don” S. Perry on June 4, 1960 at Church of the Annunciation. The two shared over 60 years until Don’s passing in 2021. Mrs. Perry spent many years employed as a supervisor at Herkimer County Cheese Company in Ilion. In her retirement, she helped others by volunteering as a driver with Catholic Charities and with the Food Pantry. She also worked providing in-home care to Olga Hubiak of Kast Bridge.

Sharon’s greatest joy was her family, Selfless and devoted, she never missed an opportunity to celebrate those she loved. Her presence was a gift, and her family will carry that love with them always.

Surviving family members include her children: Don and his wife, Kim Perry, of Ilion; Ruth, and her husband, William “Sonny” Klink, of Mohawk; Patricia (Perry) Vandawalker, of Maryland, NY; several grandchildren, Luke Perry; Holly Polidori and her husband, Michael; Jeremy Klink and his wife, Amanda; Matthew Klink and his wife, Kayla; Shannon Vandawalker and her husband, Joseph, Sabin; Zachary Vandawalker and his partner, Sydney Williams; Brandi Perry; and Cody Coleman and her husband, Aaron Coleman; many great grandchildren, Andrew Perry; Jazper, Jude, Lena and Ellie Polidori; Brian Reile, Adalyn Klink; Liam and Wesley Klink; Silas, Talon and Forrest Murray; Harper, Issac and Aaron Coleman, Jr. Her sister, Dorene Strong and companion Fred, of Cedarville; her brother, Thomas Matthews and his wife, Pam, of Ilion; several nieces, nephews with special mention of Nathan Perry and his wife, Nicole; several cousins; and her dog, Harley.

She was predeceased by her parents; her brothers, Richard “Dick” Matthews, Danny Matthews, and twins Lester and Lee Matthews; brother-in-law, Bob Perry; sister-in-law, Mary Rose Trask and her husband, Raymond Trask; Sister-in-law, Carol Perry

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s original location, at 102 West St., Ilion.

Funeral Services will be held at the Church of the Annunciation, West St., Ilion, at 10:30 A.M., Wed., Aug 12, 2026, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Paul Catena, Pastor. Burial will be at Cedarville Cemetery, next to her husband, Don.

Anyone wishing to share a memory of Sharon, or add to her Memorial Tribute my go to www.applegateandday.com on the Internet.

In lieu of flowers, as a token of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Herkimer Co. Humane Society, 514 NY-5S, Mohawk, NY 13407. Envelopes are also available at the funeral home.

Sharon’s service arrangements were prearranged and entrusted to their Family Funeral Director and friend, Don Applegate, at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home, 102 West St., Ilion, NY 13357 (315-895-7722).