Sharon Anne Maloney

Sharon Anne Maloney, 83, of Rowayton and Darien, CT, beloved nana, mother, educator, and friend, passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Sharon was born on April 30, 1942, daughter of the late John and Helen (Martin) Maloney and older sister to John and Dennis. She grew up in Queens Village, NY, graduating from The Mary Louis Academy, where she met lifelong friends Rosemary and Jeanne. She went on to graduate from St. John’sUniversity, where she was a member of the Gamma Chi Sorority. Sharon earned a master’s degree in art history from St. John’s, and her studies took her from Stanford University to the Sorbonne in Paris. A lifelong learner, Sharon went on to earn a master’s degree in education and an Educational Doctorate fromthe University of Connecticut.

Sharon’s professional career in education focused on gifted education in the Darien and Stamford, CT school systems. Earlier teaching experience reflected her adventurous spirit and creativity with a year teaching grammar school at a US Air Force base in Turkey in the 1960s and, a few years later,summers teaching creative writing at the Noyes School of Rhythm Junior Camp (bringing her two young daughters along to the overnight camp). Although she often joked that math had challenged her in high school, she helped bring hands-on science to elementary and middle school students in Stamford long before STEM became a widely used term. Always looking to find new ways to ignite her students’ interests, she pursued professional development that brought her to a summer program at Wesleyan University and trips to the Galápagos Islands and China. After retiring from Stamford, she spent a year teaching in Austria, reconnecting with Jeanne and embracing life abroad.Alongside her professional achievements, Sharon’s career was defined as much by the deep and lasting friendships she kindledalong the way.

As a mother, Sharon encouraged strength and resilience in her daughters, urging them to pursue their goals with confidence. Her home was marked by imaginative birthday parties and the quiet warmth of reading the Nancy Drew series aloud at bedtime. She welcomed her stepsons into her life with warmth and kindness. Most of all, Sharon was adored by her granddaughters as Nana.

Friendships were a beloved part of Sharon’s life, and she was always looking for a reason to put out an array of hors d’oeuvres to bring people together. When she moved to Connecticut, she lived in Darien, where she made lifelong friendships through the Darien Newcomers Club and St. Thomas More Church. She later moved to Rowayton, greatly enjoying the beach and community. Sharon pursued her love of travel with enthusiasm. When she was not exploring the world as an educator, she was planning her next adventure with friends. Dogs were often in her life, from Manice, the troublemaker who stole lunches from alocal elementary school, to her beloved Boxer, Bambino. There was always a book on her bedside table and a pending hold at the library. Book clubs combined her love of reading with time spent in lively and companionable conversation. Sharon particularly enjoyed lecture series and discussion groups at the Darien and Rowayton public libraries. She also enjoyed opera, the symphony, and theatre, both locally and in NYC. Sharon’s garden occupied much of her attention over the spring and summer months and was a colorful refuge within her Rowayton home.

Sharon was the matriarch of the Maloney family, and she took great joy in being “Nana” to three loving granddaughters. She is survived by her daughter, Meredith, son-in-law, Daniel, and granddaughter, Jamie; by her son-in-law, Osman, and granddaughters, Scarlet and Elizabeth; stepsons, John and Peter; and brothers, John and Dennis. She was predeceased by her parents and daughter, Elizabeth (Lizzie). Sharon is also survived by her nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and countless friends. Her warmth, curiosity, and generosity of spirit will be deeply missed and long remembered.

Friends may greet the family on Friday, February 27, 2026 from 4:00 until 8:00 pm at the Raymond Funeral Home, 5 East Wall Street in Historic Norwalk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 10:00 am at St. John's Church, Darien. Those who wish may to send memorial contributions on behalf of Lizzie’s daughter’s at, https://gofund.me/7ab193db1 

Please visit www.Raymond.Care to leave an online condolence for the family.