Write a commentAlice Helen (Sutkaitis) Reardon passed away at her home in Scriba on March 5th, 2026 at the age of 95.
She was born to George and Lillian (Juliana) in Toledo, Ohio, in 1931. She was the last surviving child of 5 in the family. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education at Bowling Green State University on June 5th, 1953, and earned her Master of Science Degree at Ohio State University, which was awarded on February 5th, 1955, mastering in Dance. She was a member of the Phi Mu Sorority (Delta Kappa Chapter) and the Women’s Athletic Association. Her collegiate degrees led her to the State University of New York Teachers College at Oswego (SUNY Oswego present day) as a Professor of Dance located in Sheldon Hall. In this role she established the Del Sarte Dance club which is still going strong at SUNY Oswego to the present day.
She married the late John E. Reardon in 1956, He passed away in 2001. They had six children; Malachi, Patrick, Douglas, Julie, Arthur and Mary - of which 5 are surviving (Patrick deceased). In addition, she was predeceased by four siblings, Vito, Ruth, Dorothy, and George, and is also survived by several nieces and nephews. She established the childcare program at the Oswego YMCA in the 1960’s and taught classes as well. She returned to teaching in 1970 with the Oswego City School School District at the Middle School as a Physical Education teacher. During her tenure, she established intramural girls sports and once Title IX passed, this allowed her to create the modified sports program for 7th & 8th grade girls. She coached soccer, basketball, gymnastics, track & field and volleyball. Many of these coaching stints were unpaid or underpaid as compared to her male colleagues. She established Girls Athletic Association which fostered competitive sports for girls and provided clinics to teach skills and rules. She made substantial contributions to the growth of women’s sports in the school district and also established a scholarship program for graduating high school seniors who were former athletes in the middle school program as part of GAA. She served on the New York State Committee for modified sports.
After retirement, she and her husband Jack traveled to Hawaii & Florida annually, spending several months. She was active as a teacher and participant in Silver Sneakers, Scriba Seniors and organized multiple outings and parties. She donated generously to the YMCA capital funds. In 2013 she was awarded Woman of the Year for her dedication to YMCA programs. In 2014 she was inducted into the Oswego High School Athletic Hall of Fame based on her establishment of the aforementioned modified girls sports program. She enjoyed her grandchildren, Maria, Misty, Angela, Connor, Alison, David and Nicholas. She has 11 great grandchildren. She also enjoyed her community involvement including Home Bureau (committee Secretary), Young at Heart, the Oswego YMCA, Scriba Seniors, swimming, gardening and crafts - winning several 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons for her cross stitch at the New York State Fair.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 28th from 1pm-5pm at Curtis Manor in Oswego.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Oswego YMCA or choose to plant trees in her memory.
Arrangements are in the care of the Dain-Cullinan Funeral Home, Oswego.
