Sherri E. Phillips

Sherri E. (Gardner) Phillips, 73, of Meriden, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home and with her family surrounding her. Sherri was born in Meriden on February 9, 1948 and was the daughter of the late Elliott and Maxine (Zellar) Gardner. Sherri was a lifelong Meriden resident and graduated from Orville H. Platt High School, Class of 1966. During her employment years, she was an accountant for the Napier Co. for over eighteen years and also for Abel Womack of Wallingford from where she retired. Sherri loved the outdoors and the beach. In her leisure time, you could find her in the garden or camping. She also loved to sew, spending time with her sisters going to tag sales or just being “the life of the party”. But her true love was spending time with her family. Sherri is survived by her daughter, Tabitha Stein and her husband Jeremy of Southington, and by her son, Thomas J. Havrilla Jr. and his wife Nilda of Meriden. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Vanessa and Jillian Stein of Southington and Logan and Ava Havrilla of Meriden. Sherri was part of a large family and will be greatly missed by her siblings, Doreen Jenkins of Meriden, William Gardner and his wife Elnora of Killingworth, Maxwell Gardner of Wallingford, Dawn Valeriay and her husband George of Meriden, Douglas Gardner and his wife Lucille of Meriden, and Elliott Gardner and his partner Barbara Cardillo (best friend of Sherri) of Meriden, and also by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her two brothers, Perry Gardner and Eugene Gardner, her sister Marie Wheeler, and by her sister in law Janet Gardner. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family on Friday, January 7, 2022 from 4 to 7 pm at the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 North Main St. Southington, CT 06489. A Celebration of Life for Sherri will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 10:00 AM in the funeral home with Pastor Victoria Triano officiating. Burial will be private. Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Spreen St. Framingham, MA 01701 or to the American Lung Association of CT, 45 Ash Street, East Hartford, CT 06108. For directions or to leave an expression of sympathy, please visit www.dellavecchiasouthington.com.