Class Administrator

Sharon Marie (Voytovich) Stratakos (1942-2018)

Sharon Marie (Voytovich) Stratakos, of Rocklin, California, passed away unexpectedly at her home on August 15, 2018. She was 76 years old.

Sharon was born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 21, 1942 to the late Edward & Rosalie (Ripich) Voytovich, as the second of four children. She was a stubbornly self-reliant child, a partner-in-mischief with older brother Tony, and a second caretaker to younger brothers Edward and Tom. She was raised… and attended high school in Shaker Heights, Ohio, where she was an exceptional student and an accomplished musician. She earned a BA in Mathematics from Syracuse University in 1963 and continued her education in graduate-level mathematics and engineering. She worked as a pioneering computer scientist, starting the computer facility at Syracuse University Research Corporation (SURC), and rapidly grew the organization and its capabilities to support SURC’s defense programs.

Sharon married John Stratakos in 1965, settled in DeWitt, New York, and eventually left SURC to raise her two sons. She was a loving and devoted mother and wife, and the neighborhood kids flocked to the Stratakos home to enjoy her hospitality and devour her delicious food. She was active in the PTA, cheered at her sons’ many athletic events, earned her private pilot’s license, became fluent in Greek, held season tickets to SU football and basketball, sang in the choir at St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Church, and hosted many memorable functions and celebrations in her home. Through it all, Sharon’s passion for mathematics and technology never faded, and she was hired to consult on numerous computer science and infrastructure projects over the years. She eventually founded her own software company, which specialized in municipal accounting and billing systems, and single-handedly developed, sold, customized, installed, and supported her software in dozens of cities, towns, and villages throughout Upstate New York. In 1989, Sharon and John relocated to Pittsford, New York, where they lived together for the next decade until their marriage ended amicably. While there, she was a founding member of Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church.

After many trips to California to visit her sons, Sharon relocated to Rocklin, CA in 2001. She became active in various churches, musical endeavors, and philanthropic groups and developed many deep friendships. She sang in several a cappella groups and choruses with which she performed throughout California, the West, and in places as far-flung as New Zealand and Russia. She was active in the Auburn Symphony League and the Auburn Chapter of the P.E.O., a philanthropic women’s organization focused on the advancement and education of women, and served as the long-time treasurer of both organizations. She was a devoted member of the Auburn Presbyterian Church and sang in the choir. She loved to travel, sing, and spend time with friends and extended family.

Sharon is survived by her two sons, Chip and his wife, Sheila, of Saratoga, CA and Tony and his wife, Chryssa Maragos, of Edgartown, MA; two brothers, Edward (Marie Sprayberry) of Syracuse, NY and Tom (Kym Fish) of Houston, TX; six grandchildren, Dean, Monica, Luke, Eleni, Alexi, and Elyse; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Dr. Anthony Voytovich. Sharon will be dearly missed by her friends and family and will be forever remembered for her intelligence, sense of humor, quick wit, passion for music, selflessness, generous spirit, and kind and loving heart.

A memorial service will be held at Auburn Presbyterian Church on Sunday, August 19 at 6:00 PM. She will be buried in a private ceremony in Saratoga, CA on Wednesday, August 22. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to Auburn Presbyterian Church, the Auburn Symphony, the Auburn Chapter of P.E.O., or a charity of your choice. Read More »