Alanna Woonteiler

"Though she be little she is fierce." This quote from Shakespeare became Alanna Woonteiler's mantra throughout her battle with breast cancer.

Alanna was a great life force who has been described as "the brightest light." She personified and shared all that is beautiful. Passionate about the arts, she had a great gift for music and drama and pursued a theatrical career in Boston and New York City, entertaining people with her beautiful voice and comedic style; she starred in many productions and earned awards, including a prestigious Irne nomination, for her talent. Later, she applied the magic of cosmetics to make others more beautiful, serving as manager at Space NK Apothecary in Chestnut Hill and in two cosmetic consulting practices.

On October 14, 2016, life on earth became dimmer, and the sky became brighter as Alanna died at home in Hingham with her family by her side after being taken too soon by this horrible disease. Feisty and fabulous till the end, she was 34.

Born August 28, 1982 in Boston, Alanna was the daughter of Gary and Anne (Sharkey) Woonteiler. Raised and educated in Boston, she graduated from Newton North High School in 1999 and then earned her Bachelor's degree as a theater major at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.

Alanna survived her deceased grandparents, Laurence Sharkey, Arnold and Rhoda (Levin) Woonteiler, and great grandparents Regina, George, Daisy, and Hugh.

Alanna's love lives on in the hearts of her parents, Anne and Gary of Hingham; her brother Matthew Woonteiler of Waltham; her grandmother, Bernadette (McDermott) Sharkey of Mineola, NY; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends.

Family and friends will honor and remember Alanna by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, October 18th from 4 to 8 p.m. Her funeral service will be celebrated in Wilson Chapel, 234 Herrick Avenue, Newton on Wednesday at 3 p.m. Private burial at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Ellie Fund, 475 Hillside Ave, Needham, MA 02494 (https://elliefund.org/), which helps breast cancer patients during treatment.