Our precious Sherry completed her journey here on earth May 29th and has left her family and friends with sweet memories, cherished stories and broken hearts.
Sherry was born in the San Francisco Bay Area in January, 1967 and moved with her family to Vancouver Island in 1973 when she was 6 years old. The family lived first in Courtenay, where Sherry flourished in the country lifestyle. She loved helping her Mom, Bobby, in their vegetable garden, riding bikes with her sister, Cassandra and, for a few years, caring for and riding her horse, Pepper. She then moved with her Mom and sister to Victoria in 1979. Always popular among her peers, Sherry was elected President of Central Middle School and graduated from Mt Douglas High School.
She shared a passion for sports with her husband and high school sweetheart, James. Together they played on co-ed baseball teams while she played in the over 30’s women’s soccer league. Her soccer jersey, number 44, was retired and framed by her team when she could no longer play. Sherry and James’ treasured daughter, Madison, took her first trip to the baseball field with them when she was two weeks old. Forever the athlete, Sherry played in a soccer tournament the weekend before her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis 14 years ago.
Her working life was eclectic trying out retail sales, hairdressing and managing a hair salon before becoming the first female paving estimator on the Island for a local paving company in Victoria. She loved her bright orange company truck, her crew of guys and the creative process.
But most important in Sherry’s life were the many wonderful friends she made along the way. Sherry was a loyal, generous friend always willing to offer support and a listening ear. Her and James’ home was party central, Madison’s friends were always welcome and thought of Sherry as the “cool Mom” riding in her mustang convertible with music blasting.
Sherry leaves behind her loving husband James of 29 years; her daughter, Madison, the light of her life; her devoted Mom, Bobby Kovar and her partner, Bonnie Taylor; her protective big sister, Cassandra Warner; her beloved mother and father- in-law, May and Jim McGarry; her loved sister-in-law, Julie
McGarry, her nephews Max Thompson and Zac Redman and niece, Lexi Redman, her Auntie Gail and Uncle Axel, Uncle Gary and Aunt Cathy, her best friend, Shannon Sartori and her California cousins, Katie, Tim, Chris, Martin, Rachel and Jeremy. Sherry was predeceased by her father, Ralph Warner in 1998.
Sherry was cared for so lovingly, by kind and respectful caregivers, for almost 5 years, at Mount Saint Mary’s Hospital. Our heartfelt gratitude to everyone there.
At this mandatory time of personal isolation, her Celebration of Life will have to wait until we can gather, hug and cry together.
If you would like, a donation in her memory may be made to Mt St Mary’s Hospital at 861-Fairfield Rd, Victoria, V8V5A9 or to the Multiple Sclerosis Society #306-3301 Douglas St, Victoria, V8Z3L2.
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