Made to Last Forever:
A Family. A House. A Nation 

Sharmin Fairbanks McKenny grew up on a traditional farm working with crops, livestock, gardening, making cider, preserving, and butchering. She was a pioneer in many ways, soloing in an airplane before she could drive and as a
part of the sixth programs with civilian flight nurses on helicopters.
Ms. McKenny has visited all lands of her ancestors in England and the United States including the 1637 Fairbanks House Museum in Dedham, MA. She is now a board member of the Fairbanks Family of America, Inc.
Sharmin and her husband live in Florida. They have two grown children, Aaron and Macy. Among her favoite pets was a Cocker Spanial, Harvest, and a monkey, Tiki.
She enjoys reading, writing, golf, travel, her Orphan Orchid Program and Historical Research.
Ms. McKenny has experience in:
Speaking, television, and media promoting the Kansas City, St. Joseph Helicopter Life Flight Program in the past. She also participated promotion of the Undiversity of Missoui and a commercial for the the American Nurses Association.
More recently:
Speaking, large and small groups:
Daughters of the American Revolution Oct. 2025
National Fairbanks Reunion 2023
Book Launch Cocktail at The Club at Grandezza Nov. 2025
Radio: Phoenix Radio, Halifax, England 2022
Television: Gulf Coast News: Estero’s ‘Orchid Lady’ spreads happiness in a beautiful way, April, 2021.

In the shadows of the English Plague of 1625, Jonathan Fairbanks finds himself snubbed in his father’s will and thrust into the chaos of King Charles’s persecution of Puritans. Risking everything, he sails with his young family over treacherous seas to the uncertainty of the wilderness founded as the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Jonathan struggles to carve a place for his family in the new town of Dedham. His wife, Grace strives to overcome her doubts and hardships while sustaining their family. Just when Jonathan sees security for the family, his son Jonas asserts his own ambitions, contrary to his father’s, and is sent away to a newer frontier. There he finds a way to marry for love. “A remarkable tale of the Fairbanks family. I felt like I knew each main character personally. It’s accurate and detailed–everyone interested in life of the early Massachusetts Bay Colony should read this book.”
Stuart Christie, Colonial Society of Massachusetts member and Fairbanks House docent. Dedham Historical Society board member.

“Intriguing, emotionally charged story based on the facts about the original Fairbanks family leading to a legacy of descendants that developed this nation.”
Tina Blood: librarian and past president of the Fairbanks Family in America, Inc.

“Captivating, touching–masterfully portrays the complexity of life of the past. A powerful reflection on the present.”
Allison Stabile