Alynne Terrie Sharp, 65, died Saturday, July 28, 2012 surrounded by the love of family and friends. The daughter of the late Noah and Roslyn Levine, Alynne was born in New York City on February 25, 1947. Alynne graduated from White Plains High School in 1964, after which she attended Hiram College and the University of Bridgeport. She met her husband in 1973 while working at a ski resort in Vermont. They moved to Jacksonville in 1974 and married a year later.  After her children were born, she continued her art studies at UNF’s College of Art & Design and earned a Bachelor’s of Fine Art degree in 2003. 

Art and photography were Alynne’s passions, and she traveled the world with her family pursuing and perfecting her art. Italy was a particular favorite and much of her work reflects her love of the country and its people. A long-held dream was realized when she opened SMART Gallery in San Marco in 2010 as a creative space to showcase the work of local artists. The gallery also provided a venue for her to interact with the local community, and also served as a studio space for her art production. Alynne loved reading and was a member of the Glamour Dog Book Club for more than 25 years.

She is survived by her husband of 37 years Dr. Philip Sharp, daughter Janna, Chicago; son Noah (Jennifer Sharp), London, England; siblings Joan Levine, Carol Bluestein, and Rick Levine, New York; mother-in-law Elizabeth Sharp, Amelia Island; sister-in-law Dr. Barbara Sharp (Dr. Todd Sack), Jacksonville; 10 nieces and nephews; and, 6 great nieces and nephews.

The family will receive visitors from 6:00-8:00pm on Tues, July 31 at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home (1305 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034). A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm on Wed, Aug 1 in San Marco at Preservation Hall (1652 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207). Anyone wishing to say a few words in remembrance of Alynne is encouraged to do so. Please contact Frank Pearce at frank@pearcejobs.com or 993-1052. A reception to follow at the house of Drs. Todd Sack and Barbara Sharp. Directions to be provided at the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible donations may be made to the Alynne Sharp Art Fund through The Community Foundation of Jacksonville via a link on their homepage (www.jaxcf.org) or call 904-356-4483.  All donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Weaver Foundation.