Sharon Trohon, AO in mechanical engineering, 62

H. Sharon Trohon, administrative officer of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, died May 11 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 62.
 
Trohon began her career at MIT in 1974 in the Office of Sponsored Programs and in 1980 transferred to the Lab for Architecture and Planning, where she was promoted from financial administrator to administrative officer (AO). In 1989, she joined the School of Engineering as AO in the Department of Ocean Engineering. Since 2001, Trohon served as AO in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. 
 
Trohon was recognized for her excellence in 2004 when she received an SoE Infinite Mile Award. She consistently demonstrated an enviable ability to perfectly balance kindness and assertiveness. Trohon believed firmly that the sole objective of department administration was to support the faculty and students and she constantly reminded the staff of this goal by her personal example. She was a great teacher and methodically ensured that all who supported faculty and students had the tools and the training they needed to do so in the best way possible. 

Trohon is survived by her children, Miranda and Nick, of Danvers; her daughter-in-law, LeeAnne; grandchildren Brendan and Zachary; her three sisters, Doreen, Paula, and Becky; a brother, Robert; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 15, in Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, Sylvan Street, Danvers. Visiting hours are 4-8 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers.
 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ms. Trohon's name to Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923, or to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. 

A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on May 20, 2009 (download PDF).