from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Shari L. Okusko, 48, of Vernon, N.Y., died April 3, 2017, at Crouse Irving Hospital under the care of the Comfort Care Team.

She was born on April 27, 1968, daughter of Howard and Carol Okusko Sr. She graduated from Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central High School in 1986.

She was employed at Kay Jewelers for more than 20 years.

Ms. Okusko loved working with the harness horses that were part of her parents’ stable and later with Gary Bryant’s Stable. She was a member of the USTA and the HHACNY.

She is survived by her parents, Howard Sr. and Carol; brothers, Billy (Shawn) and Howard Jr. (Jessica); companion of 18 years, Gary Bryant; his son, Derek Bryant; loving dog, Boone Bryant; niece, Candace (John) Phelps; nephew, Jan (Casey); great-nieces and nephews, Lane, Elin, Mila and Jameson; and cousins, Melody Moorehead, John Magee, Bob Magee, Debbie Cantales, Diane D’Amore, Chery VanSlyke and John Robinson.

A special thank you to her girls — Colleen Carlson, Hope Mahady, Janelle Garnsey and Liz Chandler — for their love and support throughout her illness.

There will be a private service for the family as she wished that all of her friends would remember her as they shared time with her the day of her benefit.

The family wants to thank everyone who graciously supported her with many acts of love and kindness.

A Memorial Mass for friends will be held at a future date to be announced at Holy Family Church, Vernon, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Sloan Kettering-MSKCC, P.O. Box 5028, Hagerstown MD 21741 or Crouse Irving Palliative Care at Crouse, 736 Irving Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210.

Arrangements are with the Malecki Funeral Home, Vernon. Online condolences may be sent to maleckifuneralhome.com.