Sharon Crowley

Sharon Burke Crowley - a devoted Mom, Grammie, friend and mentor - of Rutland, Vermont passed away peacefully on January 26, 2026, with her daughters by her side following a brief illness.

She was born on September 22, 1945 in Rutland, Vermont and worked and raised a family there with pride. Sharon grew up on Maple Shade Farm surrounded by her two older brothers, Michael and Brian, and her younger sisters, Joan and Andrea, under the watchful eyes of parents J. Barry Burke and Louise Conner Burke. She was a proud graduate of Rutland High School and the University of Vermont, where she received both a Bachelor's and Master’s Degree in Education. She recently celebrated her 80th birthday at her home where she raised her family and lived her entire adult life.

Sharon began her teaching career at Rutland High School in 1968. She taught home economics before moving onto her roles as Assistant Director and Director of the Stafford Technical Center until her retirement in 1998. During her professional career, Sharon nurtured the lives of numerous young adults from Rutland County while cultivating life-long friendships with colleagues throughout the state. She was a champion of technical education and preparing youth and adults for meaningful and economically stable employment. She was dedicated to ensuring that women had an equitable seat at every table and an opportunity in every profession. Following her retirement, she worked as a consultant to the VT Department of Education and was a dedicated volunteer serving Rutland’s Paramount Theater and the Vermont Quilt Festival.

She married Phillip F. Crowley in 1972 and embarked upon the adventure of her life raising two daughters. Despite a demanding career, Sharon prioritized Colleen and Kelly, making it to as many dance recitals, band concerts and field hockey games as she could. There was little that she wouldn’t sacrifice for her daughters and she prided herself on raising them to be independent, fierce, empathetic and well-educated. Unfortunately, Sharon and Phil’s adventure was cut short by his untimely death in 2000, but she remained inspired by their shared love of family, Lake Dunmore and college basketball.

Sharon’s same commitment to family continued with the arrival of her four grandchildren: Gabe, Charlie, Burke and Milo. She enjoyed their sporting events, shared family holidays, and lazy lake weekends. “Gadget Grammie”, who was tech savvy ahead of her time, gifted them with handmade “Grammie jammies” every Christmas and hand sewn treasures to mark special occasions. Every one of her four grandchildren was her favorite!

In addition to family, Sharon was an avid quilter creating special friendships with fellow quilters in the Rutland region and beyond and was an active member of the Maple Leaf Quilter’s Guild. She had a tight circle of friends and confidants, including her beloved siblings, numerous cousins, and her dear UVM classmates.

Sharon is survived by her siblings: Michael Burke, Brian Burke and his wife Theresa, Joan Burke and Andrea Burke; two daughters, Colleen Crowley and her partner Ben Shultz, Kelly B. Crowley and her husband Paul Breimyer, and grandchildren Gabriel Griffin, Charlotte Griffin, Burke Breimyer and Milo Breimyer; and numerous beloved Burke, Crowley, Regan family members including nieces and nephews all over the country. Last but not least, she is survived by her dear friend of nearly 60 years, Mary Fregosi.

Calling hours for Sharon will be held on February 7th, from 10am to 12pm at the Clifford Funeral Home in Rutland, Vermont. A private celebration of life will be held by the family. Those inspired by Sharon’s memory and commitment to Vermont youth, agriculture and education are invited to contribute to the Vermont 4H Foundation in her memory at https://www.vermont4hfoundation.com/ or by check to Vermont 4-H Foundation, c/o Stefanie Pigeon, P.O. Box 8592, Essex, VT 05451.