Obituary of Sherry S. Putney

Sherry Scott Putney, 89, of Albany, New York, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2023.

Sherry Ann Scott was born in Logansport, Indiana to Josephine Mehaffie Scott and Gerald Wesley Scott on January 19, 1934. She grew up close to extended family, her aunt and uncle living next door, her grandparents down the street, and housefuls of fun-loving cousins within walking distance. Hard-working and academically talented, Sherry graduated as valedictorian of her high school class and earned a scholarship to Wellesley College. She took great pride in being an alumna of Wellesley (Class of ’56), where she studied history and made life-long friends. She married Ted Putney, the love of her life, in 1957 and cherished their marriage of nearly 65 years.  Sherry and Ted were parents to three daughters whom she imbued with her feminist spirit.

Sherry devoted great energy to teaching.  Over several decades she taught history at North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, Illinois, in the Brookline, Massachusetts public schools, and at the Albany Academy for Girls. As a teacher she was rigorous, holding her students to high standards and often teaching history through her love of great literature.  Sherry enjoyed an extremely active life in the community.  She was a member of the Junior League of Albany and served as President of the Wellesley Club, the Friday Morning Club and Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood. She became a Trustee of the Albany Academy for Girls, the Health Committee of the Community Foundation, Parsons Child and Family Center, and the Northeast Association of the Blind at Albany.  She was elected to serve on the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk School Board.  After retiring from teaching, she worked part-time in development for several non-profit institutions in Albany. 

Sherry and Ted enjoyed hosting social, community and fundraising events at their historic Hudson River home in Cedar Hill. Together they participated in walking tours in the United States and abroad, and travelled widely with friends and to visit their children and grandchildren. Sherry loved books, participated in several longterm book clubs and read The New York Times every day.  But among her greatest joys was thirty-four years spent with her six grandchildren. She was a wonderful, engaging, giving and active grandmother, planning activities and trips for them and relishing their company and conversation. 

Sherry is survived by her daughters Anne Scott-Putney (Astrid Sheil), Sarah Putney, Melinda Putney, and grandchildren Nathan Swire (Cynthia Akagbosu), Jesse Swire, Minna Weisberger (Andres Neumane-Moral), Abigail Weisberger, Adah Farbman, Jonathan Farbman, her brother- and sister-in-law Jesse and Sue Putney of New Hampshire, her nieces, nephews, and their families. She is preceded in death by her husband Ted, her parents, her brother Gerald Charles Scott, and several beloved Indiana cousins, aunts and uncles. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Sherry’s name to Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, the Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany, The Albany Academies, or Wellesley College.  Her family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Sherry’s caregivers and healthcare providers, Kingsway Arms Nursing Center and the Massry Residence; and to Sherry’s wide circle of friends for their enduring kindness. 

Burial will be private at the Albany Rural Cemetery. 

Visiting hours will be held at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave. Delmar NY, on Friday, May 19, 2023 from 4 to 6 pm, followed immediately by a memorial service from 6 to 6:30 pm.