Emily Sheehan

Emily Sheehan, 59, of Liberty, NY found peace after a lengthy struggle with liver disease on February 2, 2016.

Emily was born on August 9, 1956 in Brooklyn, NY to parents, George Balaban and Pauline Sussman. A member of the class of 1974, she graduated from Cardozo High School in Bayside. She spent much of her early adult life learning, traveling, and getting to know herself as she persevered through many personal hardships.

She was predeceased by her long-time companion, William J. Sheehan, to whom she was married for many years and with whom she settled down to start a new life upstate. Emily remained faithful to her city roots; the Broadway shows, world-class restaurants, and long days spent lounging beside the Atlantic remained some of her profoundest pleasures. Much to her surprise, though, she developed an equally deep appreciation for the quiet, foliage, home-cooking, and independence that the country offered.

In the last chapter of her life, her work was what revitalized her on a daily basis. A long-time employee of the Monticello school district, she could go almost nowhere in the county without bumping into colleagues and students - always greeted by the latter, often several years after they had graduated, with warm, familiar embraces. She was known among the people that she touched, even folks she barely knew, for a no-rules sense of humor that reliably pervaded virtually all of her interactions.

Her only child, Billy Sheehan, 23, of Liberty, survives her. She will be missed by an abundance of loving in-laws, cousins, friends, and coworkers, as well as Oliver, her much-adored and spoiled cat.

A memorial visitation will take place between the hours of 6 and 8 P.M. on Saturday, February 6th 2016 at Harris Funeral Home, West St. at Buckley, Liberty, NY. All are welcome to attend.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home West St. at Buckley, Liberty, NY 845-292-0001 or 845-439-5200 www.Harris-FH.com