Sharon Drugan

MADISON - Sharon Lynn Drugan, age 52, of Madison, passed away Sunday, January 8, 2012, after a long, courageous, hard-fought and stoic battle with cancer.
Sharon was born on July 3, 1959 in Morristown, New Jersey, the daughter of Walter T. and Alice M. Drugan. She graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, Rumson, New Jersey and attended Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Sharon worked for several years writing for newspapers, first the Red Bank (N.J.) Register, then The Home News (New Brunswick, N.J.). She was an excellent writer and an exacting copy editor (skills she also deployed in her ensuing jobs). Sharon then decided to attend graduate school. She moved to Madison and earned a Master of Library Science degree from UW-Madison. She then worked a series of library jobs at UW-Madison libraries, the longest and most recent being at College Library. Sharon was very dedicated to this job, continuing to work as much as she could even while seriously ill.
Despite her intelligence and capabilities, Sharon was a sweet, humble, shy and selfless person: she always put the needs and concerns of others above her own. Her family and friends were regularly treated to unexpected acts of kindness and thoughtfulness. They also enjoyed her sly sense of humor. Sharon gave generously of her time and money to help others, at the Madison Literacy Center among other places. She doted on her friends' children, and was a reliable and steady friend: she leaves a large network of friends around the world, from high school, college, graduate school and her work and life in Madison, including her loyal and unfailingly supportive friends from her neighborhood, book club, College Library and Gilda's Club.
Sharon had many interests, but among her most passionate were books and movies. Even after a full work week in College Library, Sharon could be found on weekends in the local public library branches and in bookstores, gathering up more books and movies than she could possibly read and watch. She immensely enjoyed public radio (where she was a longtime donor and volunteer, and from which she was always ready to share interesting facts and stories), nature walks, the Vilas Zoo, desserts, especially ice cream, and activities with her friends and family. Sharon lived by a very strict moral code: she had strong feelings of what was moral and just, and she did not deviate from her principles.

She is survived by her mother Alice of New Jersey and Madison; brother Walter of Madison, and brother Robert of Madbury, New Hampshire, who all will miss her very much. She was preceded in death by her father, Walter T. Drugan.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 13, 2012 at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison. A visitation will be held at the funeral home Thursday evening from 5 until 7 pm and on Friday one hour prior to service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gilda's Club, 7907 UW Health Court, Middleton, WI 53562.