Sharon Dwane, 52: City Employee; Loving Wife, Mother,

Sharon B. (Szalanski) Dwane, 52, a long time resident of Nashua, died at her home in Nashua on June 21, 2013 surrounded by her loving family after a courageous and inspirational five year battle with colon cancer.

She was born in Portland, Maine on April 16, 1961, a daughter of Jane (Foster) Szalanski and her husband, Richard both of Milford, and the late Edward Szalanski.

Mrs. Dwane was the wife of Thomas Dwane, Nashua's Recreation Manager.  They were married on October 14, 1989 on Cape Cod and shared more than 23 years of marriage.

She is remembered as a loving and devoted wife and mother.  Her favorite times were spent with family and friends. Her greatest joys in life were her three wonderful children, watching each grow into mature and caring adults.

Mrs. Dwane has been working for the Nashua Police Department as a legal secretary.  In 2012, she was named the Nashua Police Department Employee of the Year and had the “The Sharon Dwane Courage Award” named for her.  This award is now presented annually to a Girls Biddy Basketball Player in the Nashua Park and Rec Basketball League.  She had previously worked for the Nashua Marriott and the Boys and Girls Club of Nashua.

Mrs. Dwane was an active member of The First Church, U.C.C. (Congregational) in Nashua and loved volunteering each year at the Fairy Tale Festival in Nashua, a popular SummerFun Program of the recreation department.

She was educated in Nashua and Hudson schools.  She took early childhood development classes to earn an Associates Degree and was the first infant room lead teacher for the Boys & Girls Club of Nashua’s preschool program.

Besides her beloved and devoted husband, mother and step-father, survivors include her three loving children, Bryce Ouellet of Waltham, MA, Craig Ouellet of Nashua and Lauryn Dwane of Nashua; her sisters Julie Willett of Pepperell, MA, Linda Hutchinson of Hollis, NH; her brother Edward Szalanski of Manchester, NH; her nieces and nephews, Sherri Ramaro of Stoughton, MA, Michelle Rodonis of Hollis, NH Chelsea Szalanski of Rindge, NH, Michael Szalanski of Portland, ME and Gerald Leach of Myrtle Beach, SC.

SERVICES:  Visiting hours will be held at the DAVIS FUNERAL HOME, One Lock St., Nashua on Friday, June 28, 2013 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM.  A Funeral Service in her honor will be held at The First Church U.C.C. (Congregational), One Concord St., Nashua on Saturday at 10 a.m.  Friends and family are invited to attend.  Interment prayers and burial will follow in Edgewood Cemetery, Nashua.  Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a memorial donation to the Humane Society for Greater Nashua, 24 Ferry St., Nashua, NH 03064 or the Dana Fiber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215