Jeri Sherwood

Jeri Marie Sherwood died Friday, April 12 in Sparrow Hospital following a brief critical illness. She was 70 years old and lived much of her life with serious health issues. She was born in Alpena, Michigan to Robert Lee and Wanda Sherwood. When she was 14 the family moved to Davison, Michigan where she completed high school. After graduation she moved to Lansing, Michigan and did an associate degree. She worked for the State of Michigan as a legal secretary her entire career until she had to retire for health reasons. Jeri loved her work and her colleagues with whom she continued relationships following retirement.

Jeri grew up loving sports and all outdoor activities. She rode a bike, loved roller blading, water skiing, touch football and any active game that included teams. In high school she played field hockey, basketball, and ran track. As her health allowed, she played tennis and softball. Later, she added bowling to her list. Unfortunately, Jeri was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in her early 30s. The symptoms eventually ended her ability to play sports though she could still swim and walk. She also loved playing table games with family and friends.

Jeri was a naturally humorous woman. She loved to make jokes and laugh and especially enjoyed making others laugh with her. She used humor to put people at ease. She was particularly goofy with young children, easily entering their play and creating a ruckus. Her great nieces and nephew called her “Silly Aunt Jeri” and loved being pranked and tickled by her.

Jeri was also overwhelmingly generous, intent on making life easier for others if possible. She enjoyed giving gifts more than receiving. She was particularly generous to her three nephews providing things like bicycles, trampolines, and roller blades. One activity that gave her tremendous joy was taking her nephews and their friends to Cedar Point when they were in middle and high school. She considered it a highlight of those years. Roller coasters were her thing and those boys thrilled at the adventures.

Jeri was loving and kind. She made friends wherever she went. She genuinely and passionately loved her family and friends and actively initiated relationship to maintain those bonds. Because of that, she had many people in her life as friends for 40-50 years. That’s remarkable especially for a woman who didn’t grow up in the best of family environments. She transformed a negative childhood into a thriving relational adulthood.

She will be greatly missed by her sister, Victoria (Steve) Fitton, and her brother, Michael (Cookie Willis) Sherwood. She leaves behind her nephew, Eric (Angela) and their daughters, Chloe (11) and Maeve (9) Fitton, Kevin (Rebecca) and their daughters, Naomi (17) and Adelaide (15) Fitton, and Scott (Katie) and their children, Bobby (6) and Juliette (2) Fitton.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, April 20 at The First Presbyterian Church of Lansing (510 W Ottawa Street) at 4:00pm with visitation beginning at 3:00pm. Dinner will follow in the Litten Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to The First Presbyterian Church of Lansing Food Pantry.

Humor, Kindness, Generosity