Sharan Dana Mahannah

June 24, 1943 ~ November 30, 2021

Sharan Mahannah, nee Sharan Dana Rawlinson, died of natural causes November 30 at her home in Ormond Beach.  Born June 24, 1943, in Seattle Washington to Woods and Virginia Rawlinson, Sharan was the oldest of three children.  In her childhood years, the family lived in Panama, Guatemala, and New York.  Sharan graduated from Plainedge High School in Massapequa, New York in 1961.  She then attended the University of Kentucky, graduating with a degree in microbiology.

"I can't imagine life without Sharan," said a dear friend upon learning of her passing.  Family and friends across the country feel the same.  Everyone is shocked and saddened at her sudden death.  Sharan was a world traveler and she easily made friends wherever she went.  From Kenya to Kathmandu, from Bhutan to the Baltic, she would engage anyone she met with her smile and her curiosity about their lives and cultures.

Sharan's life was dedicated to taking care of the "little guy."  She was a lifetime defender of animals, both domestic and wild.  She loved movies and was on the board of Cinematique.  Her costumed Oscar parties were legendary.  Passionate about politics, she was a founding member and secretary of the Ormond Beach Area Democratic Club.  She delighted in preparing the most adventurous dishes.  Her key lime pie had no equal.  Classic rock could be heard coming from her brightly colored home.

Before her retirement, she ran the microbiology lab at Halifax Medical Center and taught microbiology at Daytona State College.  Previous stops in her long and successful career included the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Shands Hospital in Gainesville, and South Miami Hospital.

Sharan was predeceased by her father, Woods.  Grieving survivors include her mother, Virginia; brother, Kennard (Claudia); nieces and nephews, David, Matthew, Adam, and Kaala; and many loving friends.  Her beloved sister Terry died unexpectedly the day after Sharan.

A memorial service for both Sharan and Terry will be held at Lohman Funeral Home, 1201 Dunlawton Avenue, Port Orange, Florida, at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, December 16, preceded by a visiting hour at noon.  Memorial donations may be made to the Southeast Volusia Humane Society, 1200 S. Glencoe Road, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168.

A visitation will be on Thursday December 16, 2021 from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM.  A memorial service will follow at 1:00 PM at Lohman Funeral Home Port Orange.