Sharon Zadanoff

Dr. Sharon Ziva Zadanoff, beloved daughter of Miriam and the late Richard Zadanoff and sister of Dana Jean Zadanoff Godel (Davie, FL), passed away peacefully in Hollywood, Florida, following a long illness.

Known affectionately to many as “Dr. Sharon,” she was an accomplished Doctor of Chiropractic and an acupuncture practitioner who devoted more than three decades to caring for others. She began her career at her practice in Aventura and later became a concierge doctor, traveling the world to treat and care for her patients.

She was known for her radiant smile, her sometimes bawdy and biting sense of humor, her deep empathy and honesty, and, of course, her remarkable “healing hands.”

Sharon’s passion for music and all things entertainment took her on an extraordinary journey, treating patients of great renown across music, sports, film, television, and business, as well as a myriad of people from all walks of life. To Sharon, there was never a difference. Whether you were a world-famous performer or someone she had just met, her invitation was always the same: “Come get treated” or simply, “Come see me.”

She had a rare ability to bring both her healing hands and generous spirit to those around her, inspiring meaningful change in her patients, friends, and family.

Her work took her around the world, as far as Africa, Israel, and Australia, and throughout the United States and Canada. She was comfortable in nearly every room she walked into and had a remarkable way of making everyone else in the room feel comfortable, too.

You were just as likely to find Sharon at a festival: Lollapalooza, Coachella, or Bonnaroo as you were to see her schlepping her chiropractic table in and out of Madison Square Garden, Jones Beach Amphitheater, the Greek Theatre, or the Paramount movie lot in Los Angeles.

She was happiest on the road, backstage, or on a television or movie set, bringing her own particular kind of magic to cast and crew, band members, tour managers, roadies, and anyone else who needed her care. She took special joy in bringing the people she loved along for the ride, taking her sister on the road, inviting friends to cast parties and private events, and somehow making even the most extraordinary experiences feel completely normal, always with that signature twinkle in her eye.

Sharon didn’t suffer fools gladly, and unkindness was something she had little tolerance for. Although her client list read like a who’s who of entertainment, sports, and business, the people who mattered most to her were her family. She adored her niece and nephew and her younger cousins and took enormous pride in all of them.

It is fair to say that a very special piece of Sharon’s heart belonged to her beloved fur baby, Tucker, her precious giant Labradoodle and, in Sharon’s words, “the best dog in the world.” Tucker shared her life on the road and became nearly as well known and loved by her clients, friends, and family as Sharon herself. (He is happily living his best second life at a dear friend's home.)

Sharon understood, deeply and instinctively, the meaning of gratitude. She was grateful for her life and wanted the very best for the people she encountered along the way. She frequently sent friends inspirational quotes and sayings, many of which also covered the walls of her home and office—little reminders to herself and everyone around her of just how precious life is. In her later years, she dabbled in photography and built a portfolio of images including portraits and landscapes taken as she traveled across the US with friends.

Sharon’s own life began in the small upstate New York town of Monticello before her family relocated to South Florida, where she attended elementary, middle, and high school. She later spent a year in Israel through the Young Judaea Year Course program before her path led her to Logan University, College of Chiropractic. It was there that her two worlds, healing and entertainment, first came together when she was called to a local venue to treat the legendary comedian Phyllis Diller. It was a fitting beginning to a career that would eventually take Sharon around the world.

Sharon’s spirit will endure in the hearts of all who knew and loved her: through the lives she touched, the people she helped heal, the adventures she embraced, the friendships she treasured, and the countless “Sharon stories” that will continue to be told for years to come.

Sharon was predeceased by her loving and devoted father, Richard Zadanoff. She leaves behind her mother Miriam Snir Zadanoff sister, Dana, and husband, Jacques Godel; her beloved niece, Alexa Godel Voren and husband George, great niece Stella Voren, great nephew Levi Voren; her nephew, Bryan Godel, and wife Jamie, Aunt and Uncle, Heddy and Dr. David Muransky, cousins Raina, Ilana, extended family; a wide and extraordinary circle of friends, patients, colleagues, and loved ones who became family along the way.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers and for those wishing to honor Sharon’s memory, memorial contributions may be made to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (theaftd.org) or the Alzheimer’s Association (alzfdn.org).