Obituary of Sharon M. Farrell

Sharon (Shèr) Marie Farrell, 72, of Kalamazoo, MI, formerly of the South Side of Binghamton, New York, passed away unexpectedly into heaven on July 15, 2021. Born in Binghamton, Shèr was the loving daughter of Joannie and the late A.J Farrell. Although she lived most of her life in Kalamazoo, Michigan, she made numerous extended visits yearly to Binghamton to spend months with her best friend and mother, Ma. She was a devout Catholic, and a devoted sister and daughter. Shèr was a vibrant soul who enjoyed walking in her woods to watch the latest season unfold, as much as choreographing a classical ballet production for her Farrell Ballet Theatre, at Kalamazoo College. She was the inspiration of the many students she taught for over 45 years. One of her dreams was to bring her dance troupe to the Roberson Museum and Science Center in Binghamton, to dance in the top floor ballroom where she learned ballet at an early age. Wise before her time, Madame Farrell said "In refusing to impose limitations on my dreams and the dreams of my students, I am reminded each class of how much we need art to inspire and call for the dignity of dreams". Earning an undergraduate degree from Georgian Court College in Lakewood, New Jersey, and a graduate degree from Harpur College in Binghamton, Shèr studied and danced with the Bolshoi Ballet for a year in Paris, France, bringing a rich history to her dance students and an always interesting conversation to her friends and family. She loved international travel and among other places, traveled to Europe as a humanitarian, bringing love and hope to friends she made while in Bosnia. Traveling once to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago, she was walking several miles daily at home, to again walk the pilgrimage of the El Camino at age 75. Shèr's beautiful red and white home with green shutters, looked like a French cottage, she splashed color all over from her many meticulously cared for flower gardens and pots, in the middle of a rolling green park-sized lawn. She was extremely fit, followed the healthiest of diets and was a very young 72 years old. Shèr's passing is a shock to her family and friends. Shèr is survived by her Mother Joan Marti Farrell (Ma) still living on the South Side of Binghamton, her brothers and sisters, Joe and (Denise) Farrell of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Sean and (Lynn) Farrell of Oneonta, New York, Katy (Farrell) McDonald and Dave Molter of Binghamton, New York, Kelly (Farrell) and "Georgie" Wells of Oneonta, New York, Tom and Leah Neely of Redwood, New York, and by many nieces and nephews who adored her and to whom she was known as Tante Shèr, french for aunt. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to support Camp Tuscarora Sustainability Fund. Donations can be sent to: Baden-Powell Council, 2150 NYS Route 12, Binghamton, NY 13901. Please make checks out to Baden-Powell Council and include a note or write in the memo of the check: In Memory of Shèr Farrell, Camp Tuscarora. A Funeral Mass will be offered at the Church of Saints John and Andrew, Vestal Avenue, Binghamton, Monday at 10 a.m. The family will receive friends at the Church of Saints John and Andrew, Monday from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. The Mass will be livestreamed on the Saints John and Andrew Facebook Page.