Sharon A. Nilan (née McNamara), age 84
Born on Nov. 14, 1940, in Hastings, Minn, to Eugene and Marie (Maher) McNamara, Sharon A. Nilan passed away peacefully on Jan. 24, 2025, at Saint Therese of Woodbury.
Sharon met and married Edward “Ed” Nilan, and the couple lived in Illinois, where she dedicated over 40 years as a beloved third-grade teacher. Known for her kind and gentle nature, Sharon cherished her family and held her nieces, nephews, and countless students close to her heart as though they were her own children.
She is survived by her brothers, Lawrence “Larry” McNamara and Clayton McNamara; her sister, Jane Olson; sister-in-law, Jaci McNamara; special friend, Richard “Dick” Cook; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Sharon was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward “Ed” Nilan; her brothers, Leonard, Clem, Paul, Tom, and Jeri McNamara; and her sister, Veronica “Sis” Wermers.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2035 15th St. W, Hastings, MN. Visitation will take place one hour prior to Mass at the church. A reception and burial will follow services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the College of Saint Benedict and Hastings Family Services.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Saint Therese Memory Care and St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care. Arrangements are being handled by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel.
