Sharon B. Rupert, Theater Manager

A celebration of Sharon B. Rupert’s life was held in her Sag Harbor backyard on May 21, which would have been her 80th birthday. Ms. Rupert, who was known as Sherry, died at her Harrison Street home there on May 12, after a long illness, her sister, Joan E. Rupert, said.  

Hailing from Toledo, Ohio, Ms. Rupert made a life for herself in the New York City theater world, not as an actor but on the management and finance side of the stage. Among the theaters for which she worked were Circle in the Square, the Martinique, the APA-Phoenix Repertory Company, Queens Theater in the Park, Wagner Festival Theater, City Center, and, in East Hampton, Guild Hall.

She was born on May 21, 1938, to J. Frederick Rupert and Carolyn B. Rupert. She graduated from Maumee Valley Country Day School in Ohio in 1956 and from Wheaton College in Norton, Mass., in 1960. Immediately after graduation, she left for New York City, where she would remain for 42 years. In addition to the theaters she managed, she was a vice president and treasurer of the Brooklyn Academy of Music and a lecturer and panelist in her areas of expertise. She also managed summer theaters in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.

Ms. Rupert was a member of the Junior League of New York and on the boards of the League of Professional Theater Women, the Hampton Day School in Bridgehampton, the Maidstone Regional Theatre, and the Technical Assistance Group. 

She was deeply interested in animals as well. Her horse, Lucky, joined her from Ohio and was boarded in East Hampton. She also had golden retrievers, seven in all, from the time she was 8; they were, in order, Queenie, Antigone, Timber, Quincy, Rupert, Clara, and Roman.

Her sister said that Ms. Rupert frequently opened her house to friends and family, especially making their children a big part of her life. She loved giving parties, with Kentucky Derby gatherings an annual celebration. She was also known for her many hats and scrapbooks.

In addition to her sister, who lives in Littleton, Colo., a brother, John Rupert of Goleta, Calif., five nephews, and two great-nieces survive.

Contributions in Ms. Rupert’s honor have been suggested to the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, P.O. Box 901, Wainscott 11975 or the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, Md. 20852.