Sharon Balkcom

Sharon Balkcom, raised on the scrappy streets of East Harlem, was in the third grade when her teachers realized that she had a gift for mathematics, said her mother, Rosalie, who was not surprised.

Ms. Balkcom, 43, the second of three children, attended some of the city’s most rigorous and selective secondary schools: Robert F. Wagner Middle School on the Upper West Side and the Bronx High School of Science. She received an M.B.A. from Pace University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Colgate University.

Ms. Balkcom’s academic aptitude and varied education prepared her to tackle most jobs. She was a computer systems manager at Marsh & McLennan, where she had worked for about three years, her mother said. 'She was motivated,' said her brother Gordon, a publicist. 'Whereas I might need someone to kick-start me, she was self-motivated.'

As a child, that motivation helped Ms. Balkcom, a resident of White Plains, overcome teasing from neighborhood children about being a bookworm. 'She held her head up and continued to do what was right,' Mrs. Balkcom said. 'My husband and I brought our children up the best we could. We tried to instill in them the importance of having an education. We taught them that things were not handed to them. If they wanted something, they had to work hard to get it.'

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I carry you with me everyday, I will NEVER forget you.
Joyce Blake, Friend
Sep 11 2023 3:05PM
I am writing my condolences and well wishes to everyone who knew this woman during het lifetime. Our country will never forget the people who were lost 21 years ago in that senseless act of violence. So many strangers who never knew those lost, or their families and friends grieve along with you. May we all find peace in the years ahead in the comfort of our memories.
Leslie Honcharik, Friend
Sep 14 2022 4:54AM
I first met Sharon when I joined AIG back in 1988 and we worked together in the same department. She had a great personality and was always fun to be around. Our careers at AIG took different paths but we managed to remain friends throughout the years. Sharon will always be missed. Thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Jim Ackert, Colleague
Sep 7 2022 7:50AM
I have never met Sharon personally but I have phone conversation with her. She helped me so much with my project. Her personality, her willing to helped and her being friendly to me made my life so much easier and I know she made a HUGE difference to me. I will never forget. Peace.
Jun Gorospe, Colleague
Sep 11 2013 12:08PM
My thoughts and prayers are with your family on this 10 anniversary. Your spirit lives on in the Beta Lambda chapter and your Gamma Phi Delta sorors will never forget you.
Janine Mack, Friend
Sep 11 2011 5:58PM
I was a classmate of Sharon's from Bronx HS of Science. I am among a number of friends from HS that have recognized her loss many times since 9/11 and hold on to the memory of her.
Marcia Eisenberg, Friend
Apr 26 2011 9:05PM
I have never met Sharon but she and I talked constantly via phone about the ITS project. She was always very pleasant and a joy to speak with. I shall never forget! Theresa
Theresa Shackleford, Colleague
Sep 11 2009 8:39AM
I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Sharon many times via phone as we worked through ITS issues. ITS was a new responsibility for me and I needed a lot of help. Sharon was very patient, responding to my calls and always willing to help. Though we never got to meet in person, my life at Marsh is all the better having interacted with her. She will always be missed!
Theresa Shackleford, Colleague
Sep 10 2008 10:03AM
I had the pleasure of working with Sharon at MMC from 1998 - 1999 as a consultant. She was a very caring, intelligent, and personable person, with a great sense of humor. Thanks Sharon for your pep talks to get us through some of those tough times, for the cab rides home late at night, for the great food we used to order from the Thai place when we worked those long hours, and most of all for being my manager and my friend, a difficult and rare feat to do. Felix
Felix Nazario, Colleague
Sep 14 2007 3:18PM
I grew up with Sharon and her family in the Washington projects in East Harlem. We attended some of the same schools and grew up in the same church. Sharon was a wonderful, sweet and caring person who had a wonderful sense of humor. Whenever I was around her, I learned something new. She was very supportive in my fundraising efforts with the dance program at the church and was always there with a word of encouragement. She is greatly missed.
Mary A. Jenkins, Friend
Dec 23 2003 11:59AM
As I recall the days in AIG Data Centre in New Jersey back in 1995/96 where I met Sharon Balkcom first time. I had no idea until Howard Brown, an old friend of mine working together in AIG data centre send me an e-mail with the message of unfortunate end of Sharon. I always found her nice, gentle and helpful. I always noticed smile on her face. Again when AIG Q/A team moved to down-town Manhattan we worked in the same floor. When my project ended in late 1997 I moved to a different organization and still I maintained my contact with Sharon. Since I moved to CANADA in 1998 our contact disrupted. I feel for Sharon and all other,s who ended their tragic life. My prayer goes to Sharon's family and all other who lost their near and dears. Khairul Alam, February5, 2003
Khairul Alam, Colleague
Feb 5 2003 12:44PM
I worked with Sharon for a number of years at AIG. I had no idea until I saw her name in the paper yesterday that she had been at the World Trade Center. Sharon was a great person. She worked in the computer area at AIG. Whenever, I had problems with my computer Sharon was always there with a big smile! She helped everyone in the claims departments with their computers. I remember on numerous occasions taking the subway with her uptown and having great conversations with her.
Amy Fishbein, Colleague
Sep 12 2002 10:22AM
I never met Sharon in person but she made you feel like you were a Friend. Our paths crossed occasionally when I needed assistance with the ITS program. Sharon was always helpful and she had a wonderful voice that always sounded like she had a smile on her face when she was talking to you. My thoughts and prayers go out to Sharon’s family.
Patricia Foy, Colleague
Apr 22 2002 8:43AM
I had the pleasure of getting to know Sharon in early 2002, when she (and Garo Voskerijian) were working on an IT project for Marsh Europe with colleagues in London - my self included. As with numerous relationships these days we conversed via conference call and e-mail during the course of our working day. Sharon had many positive skills to bring to the team. She kept us focused on the task at hand - in a quiet but firm manner. No matter what your issue, Sharon would always resolve to find the answer. She was highly regarded by all of those involved in the project. I often regret not having had the opportunity to actually meet Sharon. Sue (colleague from Marsh Ltd, London, England.)
Sue Pope, Colleague
Apr 5 2002 8:24AM