Sharon B. Voishnis, 56, died June 14, 2008 at the Pleasant Valley Nursing Center in Derry, NH. Born in Chelsea, MA on April 27, 1952, she attended elementary school in Burlington, MA; Junior High in Newport, RI and High School in West Seneca, NY, graduating in 1970. Her family then moved to Atkinson, NH. Sharon was a 1975 graduate of UNH. In 1982 she received her Masters Degree in Spanish from Middlebury College, the country’s most prestigious foreign language school, after completing studies in Spain and Vermont. Prior to her illness, “Senorita Voishnis’” entire 24 year professional career was spent as a Spanish and French teacher at Salem High School, where she was involved in numerous activities. Sharon also served as a union representative for the Salem Education Association. As a member of the NH Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese for many years, she participated in numerous conferences and workshops.
However, what Sharon was most proud of was her organizing of foreign trips to Spain and Mexico to allow her more passionate students the opportunity to test their language skills in a real life environment, as well as to experience different cultures.
Sharon is survived by her husband of eight years, Dennis Sabatino of Derry; her father, George Voishnis, Sr. of Atkinson and Maine; three brothers, Jeffrey Voishnis of Atkinson, George Voishnis, Jr. of New Jersey, and Mark Voishnis of Maine; a step-daughter, Mia Sohns of New York, and a step-son, Jason Yi of Newton; two aunts, Dorothy Kane and Louise Korta, both of Florida; three nieces and three nephews, along with many cousins. Also, a very special friend, David AuCoin of Salem, who volunteered hundreds of hours of care giving to Sharon over her lengthy illness. Sharon was pre-deceased by her mother, Alvina Voishnis, in 2003.
Sharon’s friends, former colleagues and students are invited to join her husband’s family and friends in a celebration of her life at Fellowship Hall, Atkinson Congregational Church, 101 Main Street, Atkinson, NH on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 from 4 to 6 PM. Please come by and share thoughts and special moments of Sharon’s life. Donations may be made in Sharon’s memory to: Salem Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 297, Salem, NH 03079. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry is handling the arrangements.