Shari Gold, 69, of Woodstock, New York, passed away at home on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, after a battle with cancer.

Born on December 18, 1956, in Brooklyn, New York, Shari was the daughter of the late Raphael Russo and Doris Singer. She began her career as a special education teacher in Buffalo before attending Brooklyn Law School, where she graduated with honors and served on the Law Review.

Shari began her legal career as an associate at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan. After several years in private practice, she devoted herself to raising her son. In 1989, she and her family moved to Woodstock, which remained their home for more than 35 years.

In Ulster County, Shari served as a law guardian in Family Court, representing children. She later worked as confidential law clerk to the Honorable Karen K. Peters in Family Court and the Appellate Division, and subsequently to the Honorable Christopher Cahill in Ulster County Supreme Court in Kingston. A New York State-licensed mediator, she also founded Gold Mediation and helped Hudson Valley residents navigate marital mediation with compassion and care.

Shari's dedication to others extended far beyond her legal career. A yoga teacher for more than 20 years, she founded Karma in the Courts, offering free yoga to court employees as a source of calm and relief in a stressful environment. She also founded a Dress for Success clothing drive in Ulster County, helping women obtain professional clothing as they entered or reentered the workforce, and she organized charitable Thanksgiving meals through local churches.

Shari had a deep love of gardening and became a certified Master Gardener through Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County. She was also a devoted follower of Sai Baba. Her life was marked by service, compassion, and a lasting commitment to helping others.

Shari is survived by her husband, Majer Gold of Woodstock, and her son, Jesse Gold.

A memorial service will be held at the Woodstock Jewish Congregation on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at noon.