Denise Marie (Ovington) Sharlow

Obituary Franklin, NH Denise Marie (Ovington) Sharlow Denise M. Sharlow, 56, of Franklin took her last earthly breath on July 29, 2018 and is awaiting the return of her Lord Jesus Christ. Born in Detroit, Michigan, the oldest child and daughter of Gerald and Mary Ovington, she spent her youth in Fenton, MI. graduating Lake Fenton High School in 1980. Afterwards she would travel the world doing everything from touring as lead singer in her band, living across the country teaching the Bible, to spending a six month sabbatical in Gartmore, Scotland studying and applying Biblical research and teaching principles so that she could return to the states and teach others. Prior to her sabbatical she had lived in Upstate NY where she was part of a Bible fellowship. It was at this fellowship that she would meet the man who would become her best friend and the love of her life, Frank Sharlow – Frankie, as she would call him. The two of them became quick friends. He would later state to his mother that he knew that one day he was going to marry Denise. Those who knew her well can recall her story of sitting on top of a mountain in NY by herself, praying and talking with God about her future, and mentioning to Him how she would love to get married one day and that she’d love to find a man like Frankie. What she would also tell you is that “God always hears and answers our prayers.” Years later the two of them would reconnect in New London, CT both serving in a Christian leadership training home to learn more of the Bible so that they could teach and help others. They were married 26 years ago on June 20th. Seven years after they were married, Denise gave birth to the next love of her life, their daughter Michayla. Many times she would state that having a child taught her more of how deep the love is that our Heavenly Father has for us. She made it her priority to teach her daughter to be strong, independent, compassionate, loving, kind, and faithful. She and Frank together would teach her the Bible as they had been taught. A loving daughter, wife, mother, sister, encourager, and friend, Denise was one of a kind. People remember her as someone who was kind, compassionate, forgiving, loving, gracious, and someone who always made you feel welcome and was willing to help and serve in any manner possible. To many, she was their cheerleader, the friend who was always supportive and cheering you on in whatever your endeavor may be. She was strong in encouraging and building you up when you were down. And she fought to treat others with respect. Her career spanned many avenues from waitressing, housekeeping, catering, administrative, and banking. Most recently she was a Grant and Contract Technician with the State New Hampshire, Department of Special Education and Development Director with the Franklin Business and Industrial Development Corporation. Formerly she was Grant Manager for the Franklin School District, Executive Director of Belknap Mill in Laconia, and branch manager at Franklin Savings Bank. Denise also served on multiple boards of many non-profit organizations throughout the Lakes Region being past President and Vice-President of the Franklin Opera House, and Treasurer of the Odell Park Centennial Committee, Choose Franklin, and the Greater Franklin-Tilton Chamber of Commerce, and New Beginnings Women’s Crisis Shelter to name a few. Her desire to give back to the communities in which she lived stemmed from her Christian beliefs and background in service to others. She was a grant writer for many organizations and would continue her education in that field in order to gain more knowledge to find grants for non-profits. She believed in their missions, visions, and in the value that these groups provide to local communities. In 2006 she was named Citizen of the Year in Franklin as recognition of her 20+ years of volunteer service to the community’s non-profit organizations and her passion to help the City of Franklin. She also was a very talented singer. She had the desire to lead a choir for many years. Within the past few years that desire became a prayer that she saw come to pass when she was asked to serve as worship leader at Water’s Edge Church of Christ in Laconia. Denise lived a full abundant life filled with joy, love, laughter, faith, family, and friends. It doesn’t matter how someone died. What’s most important is how they lived. And live she did. She leaves her husband of 26 years Frank Sharlow, and their daughter Michayla Sharlow both of Franklin, NH. Brothers, Patrick Ovington, Linden, MI; Michael Ovington and his wife, Kelley, Fenton, MI; Sister, Jennifer Macklin and her husband David, of Fenton, MI; and her mother Mary Ovington, who by her example taught her kindness, compassion and love, also of Fenton, MI. She also leaves several nieces and nephews, and her large extended Sharlow family of Raymondville, NY. She is predeceased by her father, Gerald Ovington who passed away in August 2015. A celebration of life will be held for Denise on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the William F. Smart Sr. Memorial Home, Franklin-Tilton Road (584 West Main St.) in Tilton, NH. Donations can be made in the name of Denise Sharlow to New Beginnings Women’s Crisis Center at www.newbeginningsnh.org. 1 Peter 4:8 Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. 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Denise Marie (Ovington) Sharlow

April 18, 1962 - July 29, 2018