Memorial Wall

Sharon Adele Friedman, 80, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2025, in Woodland Hills, California, surrounded by her beloved family. Born on March 25, 1944, in Toronto, Canada, Sharon moved to Hollywood, California, with her mother, Fay, and brother, Mel, at the age of five. She grew up in Southern California and attended Los Angeles High School.

In 1963, Sharon met the love of her life, Neil, on a blind date, leading to their marriage in 1965. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised two children, Susan and Adam. Sharon was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and the proud grandmother of Lucas, Julian, and Liam.

Sharon had a zest for life and a passion for cooking, traveling, entertaining, and giving back to her community. Her adventurous spirit took her around the world, where she immersed herself in diverse cultures and cuisines. A talented artist, Sharon’s work is part of the permanent collection at The Skirball Cultural Center and is cherished in homes across the country.

Judaism was central to Sharon’s life, and her greatest mission was to pass on Jewish values to her family. Her warmth, generosity, and commitment to her faith were guiding lights for those who knew her.

Sharon is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Neil; her children, Susan (Mike) Willard and Adam (Karen) Friedman; and her adored grandchildren, Julian, Liam, and Lucas. She leaves behind a legacy of love, family, creativity, and unwavering kindness that will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know her.

Sharon’s memory will forever be a blessing to her family, friends, and all lives she touched.

Jacqueline "Jackie" Basile (Harrison) passed away peacefully at her home in Yucca Vallery, CA on November 1, 2024 surrounded by loving family. A celebration of life will be held in her backyard, overlooking the desert. This was her favorite place to sit and enjoy the warm sunshine. A private family burial will take place at San Luis Cemetery in San Louis Obispo, CA next to her beloved mother Esther Harrison-De Boer. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Best Friends Animal Society, reflecting Jackie's lifelong devotion to all animals or to the Parkinson's Resource Organization. 

Jackie was born on June 5th, 1946 in Chicago, IL and raised predominantly in Wyoming, MI. Known by all for her razor-sharp intellect and sense of humor, she was fluent in 4 languages and is an alumna of Michigan State University (B.S. Biology) and Cal Poly (MBA), the latter of which she completed while raising 2 small children. These skills were particularly useful for her greatest love, besides her family, of travel. Jackie met many of her most cherished friends during, or as a result of, a shared love of exploring the world. Whether it was teaching English in Paris, buying her favorite pastries in Germany, or bartending in the Bahamas, she never turned down an invite to go somewhere new. Throughout her lifetime of adventures abroad, her heart always remained tied to California. She was overjoyed at being able to return "home" to retire and enjoy 7 blissful years in the state that was always so dear to her. 

Jackie is survived by her two daughters Jamie Basile of Chicago, IL and Lindsay Basile of Los Angeles, CA, her brother Dr. Jim Harrison (Zella) of Palm Desert, CA, life partner Tom Equin of Yucca Valley, CA, and cat Blue, also of Yucca Valley. She is preceded in death by her parents Burt Harrison and Esther Colborn, and by numerous beloved and cherished pets.

Marshall Christian Moore, husband, father, coach, and educator, died from complications of Parkinson's Disease and cancer on October 21, 2024, in Exeter, New Hampshire. Born on November 7, 1956, in Boston, Marshall was the eldest son of Roger Allan Moore and Barbara Wildman Moore. Raised in Massachusetts on Beacon Hill and the Gurnet, Marshall attended Dexter and Groton schools, where he learned to love sports and made friends for life. At Harvard College, he rowed in the undefeated freshman eight, culminating with a dramatic win on July 4, 1976, at the Henley Royal Regatta. He received his A.B. in English in 1979, and later his J.D. from Fordham University. Marshall married Becky Goff in 1981, and together they raised three sons: Nicholas, Davis, and Timothy.

Marshall began his career in education by joining Becky at Choate Rosemary Hall in 1984 where he served as an admission officer, English teacher, and rowing coach. In 1988, he was appointed the Director of Admission and boy's crew coach at Brooks School. During a year in Rennes, France, Marshall led family adventures while Becky taught at SYA. They moved to Exeter in 1995, and Marshall worked as Associate Director for the Harvard College Fund.

In 1990, Marshall was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Often referring to his condition as "Mr. P," Marshall maintained his customary good humor and resolute optimism as he managed the illness for the rest of his life. He co-founded the Seacoast Parkinson's Support Group, where for eighteen years he and fellow members met each month to share information and community. Throughout these years, he dedicated himself to the "symphony of motion," continuing to row, run, bike, and dance for as long as he was able, even competing at the USA Track & Field Masters Championships in 2004.

Most of all, Marshall loved to be on the water, where he imparted rowing wisdom, as well as an appreciation for river wildlife (and his favorite dance music). After Choate and Brooks, Marshall coached at Phillips Exeter Academy, Great Bay Rowing, and Community Rowing. In his later years as a coach emeritus at Exeter, he continued to ride the launches on the Squamscott River, lending his keen eye and sharing words of inspiration to athletes and other coaches alike.

Beyond his sporting pursuits, Marshall admired beauty of many kinds. Along with dealing in antiques, he collected paintings and furnishings for his family's home in Exeter. Forever observant, he also developed his voice on the page by writing poetry and short stories. By example, he taught his sons to appreciate design, art, writing, and all things sweet - especially his signature chocolate chip cookies and whiskey sours.

Marshall is survived by his wife M. Rebecca "Becky" Moore, his three sons, Nicholas W. Moore (Irina Eremenko), Davis H. Moore (Liza Williams), and Timothy C. Moore (F Taylor Colantonio), his two grandchildren, Sylvia and Winslow, his mother Barbara Moore, his sister Elizabeth Faria, his two brothers Taft and Allan Moore, as well as many other dear and extended family. Marshall will be remembered for his competitive spirit, equanimity, humor, and kindness.

A memorial service for Marshall will be held at Christ Church, Exeter, NH, on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 2:00. For those who wish to attend online, a link will be available on the church's website. In lieu of flowers, please honor Marshall by donating to the financial aid fund at Community Rowing in Brighton, MA.

"It's a great art, is rowing. It's the finest art there is. It's a symphony of motion. And when you're rowing well, why it's nearing perfection. And when you reach perfection, you're touching the Divine. It touches you of yous, which is your soul." George Pocock

Gerald Dale Harding (75), of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away peacefully Friday, September 6, 2024, at home with his loving wife, Kris, by his side. Despite an almost 20-year battle with Parkinson's Disease, he never lost his sense of humor and gentle heart, finding ways to connect with his wife, daughters, and grandchildren even when words became hard to find. Fondly known to friends and family by his middle name, Dale was born on November 30, 1948. He grew up in a house built by his father on Sycamore St. in Baton Rouge and was an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Istrouma High School in 1966 and was a Nawaganti Indian dancer there. During the Vietnam War, Dale joined the Naval Reserve and served as a Hospital Corpsman stationed in Japan. There he made the trek to the top of Mt. Fuji. After returning, Dale resumed working for Exxon, completing two apprenticeships. Startingat the Refinery and then later at the Chemical plant as an analyzer technician, Dale's career with Exxon spanned over 35 years. He loved the outdoors, enjoyed fishing with his brothers, and backpacking in the Collegiate Peaks backcountry in Colorado with friends and family. As a self-taught guitarist, Dale found music a source of expression. Church, his faith, and the community that came with attending St. John's UMC were important parts of Dale's life for many years. He served on the trustees' committee for many years, was in the praise band, sang in the choir, both services every Sunday, and especially loved to sing in the sunrise service on Easter. He accompanied the St. John's youth group on the Appalachian Service Project several times and always found meaning and joy in the experience. He was a simple, straightforward man with a big heart who will be missed by all who knew him. Dale's loving spirit is carried on by his wife of 50 years, Kristen, his two daughters, Jennifer Harding (Ben Owens) and Meghan (Chris) Audler, and three grandchildren, Wyatt Audler, Hayes Audler, and Atticus Owens. Dale leaves behind two brothers, Cliff (Connie) Harding; their daughters Alicia (James) Jarreau and Cathy (Todd) Jackson, and David Harding; his children Ryan Harding, Erin Harding (Candace O'Brien), and Mattie Harding and their mother Debbie Stout-Harding. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Martha Jean Harding. The family extends special appreciation to his caregivers, Nakesha, Sime, and Demetric, for their patience, compassion, and good humor, as well as to the Hospice of Baton Rouge staff. 

Edward G. Polansky died Thursday, October 24, 2024, beloved husband of Janet (Isenman) Polansky for 63 devoted years, predeceased by his parents Beatrice (Radnofsky) and Hyman Polansky.

Edward died peacefully in his sleep after a life well-lived with Parkinson's Disease. He was an example and inspiration to so many.

Born in 1938, Ed grew up in Winthrop, Massachusetts where, early on, he nurtured a gift for music, which combined with his extraordinary love of people endeared him to everyone he met. Eddie's personality elicited smiles and laughter from hundreds of friends, relatives, and clients. Of his many gifts, connecting with people was what brought him and those around him the most joy.

Edward graduated from Salem State College and earned a Masters Degree in Education from Boston University. He and Janet endowed a scholarship at Salem State College in their name.

Ed taught briefly, and then became a financial advisor. He worked at Paine Webber, and at A.G. Edwards, where he spent the last 25 years of his successful and satisfying 40 year career.

Ed and his family moved to Wayland in 1969, living there for 20 years before moving to Concord, Massachusetts and eventually Chestnut Hill.

Ed was a founding member of Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland, and sang in their choir for 40 years. He possessed a taste for adventure, and delighted in his passions for music, sailing, flying, motorcycles, and cars.

Ed is survived by his wife Janet, his daughter Deborah Polansky, son-in law Dr. Eric Putnoi, beloved granddaughters Talia and Joia Putnoi, brother David Polansky and sisters-in-law Elaine Polansky and Phyllis Buchsbaum, as well as many adoring nieces and nephews.

The Polansky family and their relatives and friends are so grateful for Eddie, a star whose light will continue to brighten the lives of those who knew and loved him.