Sharon Alger-Mayer M.D.

Latham, NY-A gifted doctor, devoted wife and mother, and lover of adventure, Sharon Alger-Mayer died on January 19th, 2026. Sharon was born in Plattsburgh, NY on July 14, 1957 to Ruth and Harrison “Sparky” Alger. Sharon graduated from St. John’s Academy in 1975. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of New York at Plattsburgh in 1979 with a B.A. in Biology. She graduated from the University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine in 1983. She completed an internship in family medicine at the University of Rochester, a residency in family medicine at Strong Memorial Hospital, a fellowship in clinical nutrition at Albany Medical College, and a research fellowship with the National Institute of Health. During her fellowship in Albany, Sharon met her future husband, Bill Mayer. Immediately bonded by their kindness, humor, and zest for life, Sharon and Bill married June 10th,1989. They added two new little adventurers to the family, sons Chris and Dan. Sharon was passionate in her role as a physician at Albany Medical Center and a much admired professor of medicine at Albany Medical College. She was the Medical Director of the Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders at Albany Medical Center from 2006 until her retirement. Dr. Alger-Mayer improved the lives of countless patients and families, inspired a new generation of doctors, and was revered by her colleagues. She received numerous awards throughout her career, including: American Society of Clinical Nutrition Physicians Foundation Mentorship Award, Jane Golub Leadership in Women’s Health Award, Top Doc of the Hudson Valley, and Wall Street Journal Best Doctors of the Capital District. In addition, she authored more than 500 articles for magazines and health journals and provided expertise to multiple published medical books. Sharon was an active member of St. Ambrose Parish, teaching Sunday school for several years and devoting her time and energy to the Catholic community. Sharon loved the outdoors. Whether hiking, skiing, cycling or paddling, nature was where you could find her. She was an Adirondack mountain 46er. She began summiting Adirondack high peaks at 11 years old with Cascade Mountain on January 1st,1969. She completed her 46th peak with Big Slide on April 9th, 1988 - 46er #2469. Those who hiked with Sharon knew a day on the trail with her likely meant rain clouds popping up sooner or later - it never dampened her spirit in the slightest. Sharon will be remembered for her kind heart, passion and empathy. Our family jokes that we could find her anywhere by listening for her laugh. We couldn’t have asked for a better mother, wife, sister, and aunt, and will miss her every day. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, her mother and father-in-law, Marilyn and William Mayer. She is survived by Bill Mayer, her husband of 36 years, sons Christopher (Ellie) and Daniel Mayer, brother Terrence Alger, sisters Nancy Strack (Rick) and Janice Linnan (Mark), brothers-in-law Peter Mayer, Richard Mayer and Thomas Mayer, niece Grace Linnan, nephews Shawn and Timothy Strack, Harrison Linnan, Richard and Billy Mayer and Thomas Mayer Jr. Funeral services Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 10:30 am at St. Ambrose Church, Latham, NY where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated. The Rite of Committal will be held privately. To leave a message for the family please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital http://events.stjude.org/SharonAlgerMayer would be greatly appreciated.

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Sharon Alger-Mayer M.D.

July 14, 1957 - January 19, 2026