LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Maryclaire Sherwin, beloved
mother and grandmother, and pillar of the Malone, New York, community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Maryclaire Sherwin of Malone, New York, died on April 25,
2015, at the age of 95; she was born on January 27, 1920, to Henry W.
Boyce and Mary Fairchild Boyce, and grew up in Scarsdale, New York,
along with her sisters, Dorothy and Helen, and brother, Henry (Harry);
and
WHEREAS, Maryclaire Sherwin attended the Ursuline School, New
Rochelle, New York, which gave her a lifelong devotion to both education
and the Catholic Church; she also served on the bishop's advisory coun-
cil for the Diocese of Ogdensburg for a number of years; and
WHEREAS, In 1941, Maryclaire Sherwin earned her Bachelor's degree in
Chemistry from New Rochelle College; after graduating, she was employed
as a Secretary for a chemical company; subsequently, she received her
Master's degree in Counseling from Syracuse University; and
WHEREAS, On January 10, 1942, Maryclaire married her high school
sweetheart, Dr. Carl Paxson Sherwin Jr.; six years later, the couple
moved to Malone, New York, where he opened a medical practice; they were
married for almost 30 years; and
WHEREAS, A devout Catholic her entire life, Maryclaire Sherwin
attended daily Mass for many years until illness made it difficult; she
supported Pope John XXIII in his efforts to make the Catholic Church
more relevant to Catholics and all people; and
WHEREAS, Maryclaire Sherwin was an enthusiastic reader and student of
philosophy, particularly Catholic theologians such as St. Augustine,
Thomas Aquinas, and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin; she was very proud of
her Ursuline education, both for its educational rigor and emphasis on
social consciousness, and greatly admired the Jesuit approach to educa-
tion and their support for the poor; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Maryclaire Sherwin was friends with Dan and the
late Phil Berrigan, brothers who were Priests and American peace activ-
ists, and was moved by their belief that putting their faith into action
required them to work against war, militarization and the oppression of
the poor; and
WHEREAS, Maryclaire Sherwin distinguished herself in her profession
and by her sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the
welfare of her community; and
WHEREAS, In 1972, Maryclaire Sherwin established Planned Parenthood in
the North Country, and served as its Executive Director for 15 years; in
this capacity, she was a strong advocate of women's rights; and
WHEREAS, From the time her older children were in their early teens,
Maryclaire Sherwin drove them to Lake Placid, New York, every Saturday
during the winter months to ski; in 1969, she received her first pair of
metal skis, and was an avid downhill skier from then on and into her
90s; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, Maryclaire Sherwin enjoyed other outdoor sports
such as horseback riding, golf, snowshoeing, cross country skiing,
canoeing and hiking; until the last few months of her life, she regular-
ly exercised in the gym and participated in yoga classes at the YMCA;
and

WHEREAS, Maryclaire Sherwin's commitment to excellence, and her spirit
of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char-
itable and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, This remarkable woman was active in community affairs and in
regional politics, campaigning for numerous candidates running for vari-
ous offices, including her loved ones; she was a member of the Malone
Golf and College Club, and the New York State Board for Professional
Medical Conduct for over two decades; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, she was involved as a member of an education
committee responsible for awarding scholarships to students at Franklin
Academy High School in Malone; in recognition of her community involve-
ment and dedication, the local YMCA was named the Maryclaire Sherwin
Greater Malone Area YMCA in her honor; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by her husband, Dr. Carl Paxson Sherwin Jr., and
partner of almost 40 years, Irving Caplan, and daughter, Mary Timothy
Slack, as well as her siblings, Maryclaire Sherwin is survived by eight
children, Carl (Barbara Jo) Sherwin, Claire (Paul) Grace, Boyce Sherwin
and Mary Scharf, Ralph Sherwin and Dorothee Schmid, Susan Sherwin-Albert
and Ted Albert, Meg Sherwin, John (Juana) Sherwin, and Peter (Kirsten)
Sherwin; 11 grandchildren, Elizabeth (Enrico), Erin (Corey), Paxson,
Margaret (James), Maryclaire Grace, Henry, Morgan, Caleb, Nicholas
(Rachel), Justin, and Christopher (Andrea); 11 great-grandchildren,
Benjamin, Josh, Mary, Ethan, Darius, Camden, Hayden, Rowan, Trey, Rebec-
ca and Michael; and many nieces and nephews; as well as two children of
her partner, Randi (Linda Newmark) Caplan, and Mark (Georgette) Caplan;
and two grandchildren, Brynn and Liam Caplan; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Maryclaire Sherwin leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
she served and befriended; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Maryclaire Sherwin, beloved mother and grandmother,
and pillar of the Malone, New York, community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Maryclaire Sherwin.