Sharon Florence Kissane

Dr. Sharon F. Kissane, Ph.D. was born in Chicago to Bruno William and Agnes Evelyn Mrotek in 1940. She earned a BA in English and acting from DePaul University, an MA in Communications from Northwestern University, and a PhD in Linguistics from Loyola University. She married James Q. Kissane and had two daughters, Laura Janine  (Shaun) and Elaine Marie (John).

A writer and educator for over 34 years, Dr. Kissane was the president of Kissane Communications, Ltd. In this role, she was honored with a Distinguished Business Leader Award, the Ronald Reagan Gold Medal by the Small Business Advisory Council and Illinois Business of the Year Award. She was also a Writers Guild of America signatory.

Dr. Kissane had a strong sense of civic and community duty, having served as an election judge for the South Barrington Precinct for many years and being presented by Cook County with an Honorary Judge of Elections certificate in recognition of her work. She has served as a board member of the Barrington Children's Choir, South Barrington Foundation, National Association of Women Business Owners and LA FEP Student Exchange Program. She founded the Park Ridge Historical Foundation and Barrington Area Arts Council's Writer's Group, and was an original task force member of Barrington School District 220's Gifted Education Program. She served on numerous committees and fundraisers. 

Dr. Kissane published a number of books on her insights as an educator, including, "What is Child Abuse", "Gang Awareness”, "Autobiography of Paul (Mousie) Garner, Broadway Stooge" and "Career Success for People with Physical Disabilities" and co-author of the "Polish Biographical Dictionary." She wrote and produced "Project Forward," a documentary film on behavior modification sponsored by the federal government. She recently published her first poetry collection, “Follow the Sun: A Life in Meter” and authored “The Survival of Barrington: The Seven Sister Cities”, “Rich and Richer”, “A House too Full” and “The White Buffalo”, to be published posthumously. She was also an accomplished actress of tv, film, stage and commercials as well as being a prodigious public speaker.

Dr. Kissane has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years. In 2013, she received the Barrington Area Library Fiction Award and in 1999, she was named an "Honored Local Author" by the Illinois Library Association. She also received a Poetry.com award as well as a second Gold Medal from World Poetry Movement, and an art award from La Citta Del Sole in Italy. In 2000, she received a literacy grant to support others, and over the years she has been a lecturer in her areas of expertise, including graphology.

For achievements in numerous fields and dedication to education, Dr. Kissane was selected for inclusion in numerous volumes of Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the Midwest, Who's Who in the World, and Who's Who of American Women. She was also named 2004 Woman of the Year by the American Biographical Association and 2008 Public Relations Person of the Year by Strathmore Who's Who. In 1965, she was named an Honorary Citizen of Korea. She was honored as a Lifetime Achiever by Marquis Who’s Who and was invited to speak at international events in Oxford, England and Vienna, Austria, among others. She enjoyed painting, post card art, music, and sports in her free time. She was an accomplished artist, having studied at the Art Institute. In her spare time, she was an avid golfer, tennis player, bowler, and swimmer. Sharon was a passionate animal lover and fierce defender of animal rights. 

Visitation will be held Saturday, November 23, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 149 W Main St., Barrington, IL 60010. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, River Grove.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sharon's memory to Orphans of the Storm, Fur Keeps Animal Rescue, or to any animal charity of your choice.

If you would like to read Dr. Kissane's book, it is availble for purchase here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1791900887?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title