Sharon Ann Toscano

Sharon was born to the late Kenneth and Barbara Wiggin of Spofford, NH, on March 10, 1948. She grew up in Spofford with her two brothers Mike and Terry. Sharon graduated from Keene High School in 1966 and immediately followed her passion for education by enrolling in the teaching program at Keene State College which she graduated from in 1970.

Sharon married the love of her life, Michael Toscano at St. Margaret Mary’s Church on June 13, 1970 and spent the next 55 years raising their three children and eleven grandchildren.

Sharon’s first job was teaching 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders at the Acworth (NH) School. After offering everything she could to the students at the Fall Mountain Regional School District, Sharon found her professional home, and her most cherished friends, at Fuller Elementary School in Keene where she would spend the next 30 years educating future generations of Keene residents.

Sharon was an avid reader and had the most beautiful gardens in the neighborhood. But her life was dedicated to education. In addition to her years in the classroom, she was a volunteer for the Cheshire County YMCA where she and Michael spent their summers running camp programs for area youth. She was a group leader for the American Heritage Tour and Family Camp at Camp Takodah. The years after her retirement were spent providing love and care to her grandchildren and taking every opportunity to substitute teach at Fuller School, where she felt it was her responsibility to mentor and provide an ear to those teachers at the beginning of their careers.

Sharon loved to travel and did so extensively with her family. While she and Mike had the opportunity to travel to London and Paris, she wanted to see America first which was helpful as she put up with her husband wanting to visit every historical site possible. Her favorite excursion was an Alaskan Cruise where she fell in love with the amazing scenery. But her most treasured spot was the coast of Maine where she spent summers growing up and continued this tradition for her children and grandchildren. She loved the ocean, and Maine was always in her heart as was her beloved Red Sox. She never missed a game and had perpetual optimism for them, no matter how painful the season. Watching her grandchildren in their sports and activities was a major priority for Sharon, even when it became harder for her to do in her later years. Sharon loved the holidays and would make Christmas come to life for her family every year. Whether it was in NYC looking at the big tree, or driving Keene neighborhoods to see the lights, it was all magic to her. Watching It’s A Wonderful Life and singing carols were a time-honored tradition for her and Mike.

Sharon lived for her family and her students, never missing an opportunity for a kind word of encouragement, a calm voice after a misstep and a willingness to offer every ounce of herself to those around her. Sharon’s influence on this community was felt by the hundreds of students she taught, the dozens of colleagues she worked with and the few of us lucky enough to have called her family.

Sharon is survived by her husband Michael, her daughter Tracy Beard and her husband Richard of Keene; her daughter Bethany Shinnick and her husband Michael of Stoneham, MA, and her son Anthony Toscano of Fitzwilliam, NH. Her eleven grandchildren who were her entire world Lucas, Joel, and Katherine Beard, Cameron, Cooper, and Jackson Shinnick, Emma, Michael, Josephine, Daniel, and Maria Toscano. Her sister-in-law Sandy Raabe and her husband David of Keene, and three beloved nephews Christpher and Shawn Wiggin and Christian Raabe. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her brother Michael Wiggin and his wife Sandy.

Calling hours and a celebration of Sharon’s life will be held on Sunday, December 21, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the Foley Funeral Home. 49 Court Street, Keene. A prayer service and continued celebration of Sharon’s life will be held on Monday, December 22nd at 11:00am in the Foley Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Sharon’s name to Cheshire Career Center Educator’s Rising Club (KHS, 43 Arch Street, Keene NH 03431 Attn: Jennifer Antosiewicz) an organization dedicated to nurturing future educators in our community.