Obituary of Sharen L. Slezak

Sharen Slezak of Nokomis, FL, formerly of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away December 19, 2007. She was 68. She was born November 14, 1939 in Seattle, WA. Sharen graduated from Marycrest College in 1961 with Majors in English, and Art. A Master’s Degree in English from the University of Iowa followed in 1967. She taught high school English in Iowa, Illinois and California for a few years before joining the Iowa Department of Education in Des Moines, Iowa. There she held a series of challenging and diverse positions: language arts consultant, working with schools to evaluate and improve their curriculum; managing the Department’s publications and public information office, and, most recently, working with the Start Board of Education legal and policy issues. She retired in 2000, moved her mother to Nokomis and then relocated herself. She was active in the American Association of University Women, local Democratic politics and the numerous arts events for which the area is known. Over the years she has been able to indulge her love of travel. In August she returned from her seventh trip to Europe – New York to London on the Queen Mary 2. In September she attended her 50th high school reunion from Villa de Chantal in Rock Island, Illinois. Survivors include her brother, Neil and his wife, Barbara Slezak of Nokomis; niece, Tracy and her husband, Mike Lucci of Bradenton, FL; nephew, Thomas Slezak; and great nephew, Jonathan Slezak. Private services and burial will be in Davenport, IA. Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorial Donations may be made to TideWell Hospice and Palliative Care, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34238.