Sandra J. (Newton) Smith

1956- 2020

Tana Chase Palson passed away peacefully of heart failure on Wednesday May 20, 2015 at the age of 58. She was born in Boston, and raised in Medfield. At age 17, she graduated from high school a year early and attended Bishop’s University in Quebec, where she received a Bachelor Degree in English. Over the next two decades, Tana lived and worked in Toronto, Montreal, Ithaca N.Y. and Boston. Her jobs included work at Monenco (the former Montreal Engineering Co.) and at the Canadian Space Agency, on the space arm used on today’s space station. Bilingual in French and English, she was a free-lance translator and editor. Tana’s interests were wide ranging and included a love of music, the arts, and world events. She enjoyed the companionship of a number of cats and dogs over the years and took a special interest in animal welfare. Tana faced many health challenges, particularly in recent years, meeting them all with fortitude and determination. She was an inspiration to many who knew her. Tana is survived by her parents Richard and Barbara (Chase) Palson; two sisters, Kirstin Palson and Lisa (Palson) Priest. Also survived by two nieces, one nephew and her grandniece. A private memorial service is planned for the immediate family. She will be interred in the Vine Lake Cemetery in Medfield, overlooking the Charles River marsh that she loved. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the Medfield Animal Shelter, 101 Bridge St. Medfield Ma. 02052.