Kimiko M Sherry

Kimiko was born on October 26th, 1936, in Osaka, Japan to Tokkichi and Kiku Harada--who raised their daughter to be an independent and strong woman. She was baptized Catholic in 1952. Kimiko attended high school and junior college at the Otemae Cultural Institute in Osaka and graduated in 1955. Shortly after, she joined the church choir at Itami Air Force Base in Osaka, a decision that would prove to be momentous.

It was during this time Kimiko met her future husband, Richard Sherry, a USAF Airman stationed at Itami. She was drawn to his sense of humor, as he often imitated Donald Duck while singing in the choir. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married at the Itami Air Force Base Catholic Chapel on June 22, 1957. When the couple relocated to the U.S., Kimiko proudly became a United States Citizen in 1960.

Kimiko and Richard had four children together: Elizabeth Hirose (Ryan), Joel Sherry (Lee), Christopher Sherry (Judy), and Deborah Beninati (William), five grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and three step-great-grandchildren.

Kimiko was a career Air Force spouse, experiencing multiple relocations, both within the U.S. and internationally. She endured wartime deployments with strength and grace, maintaining a safe and loving home for her children throughout. In 1975, Kimiko began a career as a paraprofessional with District 11. She was passionate about working with children and received many accolades for her outstanding work as a reading and math intervention aide. In addition, she visited many schools throughout the area, teaching children about the art and culture of her native Japan. She retired as Wasson High School’s assistant librarian in 2003.

Kimiko was an accomplished artist, specializing in pastel chalk drawings of scenes in nature—some of which were on display at the East Branch of the Public Library. Additionally, she was a gifted ikebana and origami artist. She passed her love of origami down to her children and grandchildren, evidenced by the thousands of paper cranes folded with her loving guidance over the years.

Kimiko was preceded in death by her father, Tokkichi Harada; her mother, Kiku Okabe Harada; her sister, Michiko Harada Solano; and her grandson, Aaron Hirose. She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. “Kimiko” translates to “Happy, Beautiful Child:” an apt description of who she was. She will be missed for her sense of humor, her love of all animals (especially dogs), and her fierce devotion to her family.

A funeral service for Kimiko will be held Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 1:00 PM at Memorial Gardens Cemetery & Funeral Home, 3825 Airport Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80910. Entombment will follow the service in the main mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region at https://www.hsppr.org/donate/tribute-giving/.