Obituary of Sharon Soule Hammond McIntosh

Sharon Soule Hammond McIntosh, 86 of Ripley NY, passed away quietly in the night on Friday March 14, 2025 at Absolut Care of Westfield. Sharon was born in Randolph, NY, the daughter of the late Burdette Soule and Ruth Downer Soule on June 20, 1938. She attended kindergarten and graduated from high school in 1956 at Randolph Central School. As she entered Hospice care mom’s attitude was one of expectancy, and oddly enough, anticipation; of course our emotions occasionally raised their heads and burdened our hearts with sadness, but this remarkable woman spent her minutes and hours making sure everyone else was OK. Society has conditioned us to believe that death is the end of the book. Mom showed us that it is actually the beginning of the first sentence of a new chapter. She played so many roles in our family, now there will be a void in our gatherings and lives; but if we move through life richer for having known her, we will be giving her the greatest gift she could ever receive, and her legacy will remain intact. Several times the journey to her eternal destination was interrupted by detours. After each of these, derailments, shall we say, it seemed as if the last time we called her for our daily chats, had indeed been our last call. Thankfully time after time we were proven wrong. Until. What a note of finality entrenched in that little word - Until. Which relentlessly morphed into now and “our new reality.” When I called you this morning, there was no answer, and the sky was full of empty. But her presence lives on in our hearts and her memories occupy every corner of our lives. It would be impossible to know Sharon and not be touched, and even changed. She filled our lives with her love and our homes with her beautifully crafted handmade quilts. There were no babies born or a marriages joined that were not blessed by one of Grandma’s stunning and elaborate creations. Then there were our highly anticipated family gatherings which included the annual Hammond Community picnic often drawing nearly a hundred guests. The Grand Children would tell you the highlight of the summer was helping Grandma and Grandpa get the picnic area and wood’s trails prepared. They would also tell you about the nights spent in the camper and fireflies for night lights. And then, there was always another, and then, with Grandma. There were the classic breakfasts with stout coffee and camp mush with liberally applied maple syrup. Sharon worked for over 20 years at Ethan Allen Furniture in Mayville, then changed careers, graduating from nursing school and working another 20 years at WCA Hospital in Jamestown, NY. The stories from former patients could fill pages. Suffice it to say she loved being a nurse and those in her care loved her. Sharon is survived by her son, Kelly (Doreen) Hammond, Grandson Erik (Emma) Hammond, their children, Hailey, Blake, Ava and Evelyn, Grandson Toby (Julia) Hammond, their children Cheyenne, Houston and Savannah, Granddaughter Andriel (Chris) Moore, and their sons Matt and Joe. A niece Julie (Ray) Hogue, a sister-in-law, Clara (Connie, deceased) Soule, a step son Bob (Nancy) McIntosh, with whom Sharon made her home with and a step daughter in law Delores McIntosh (Harry) deceased. Sharon was predeceased by her first husband, Robert Hammond, her second husband James McIntosh and her only sibling Conrad, always called Connie and memorialized in her recent book, Just Connie ‘n Me, a Recollection. The family will receive friends and loved ones from 11AM to 1PM on Friday March28 at the Park United Methodist Church 49 Sinclair Dr. in Sinclairville, NY The funeral service will follow at 1PM with Pastor Gary Nutt of Lake Erie Baptist Church officiating. There will be a reception following the service in the fellowship hall at Park Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ripley VFD, Ripley Library and Lake Erie Baptist Church Arrangements by Jordan Funeral Home, Sinclairville. For a more extensive obituary and to leave condolences please go to jordansinclairville.com At Sharon’s request, a celebration of life is to be announced by her family at a later date. She asked that everyone bring a dish to pass, a quilt and memories to share. And don’t forget to bring your singing voices and instruments.