Sherry O. McIlwain

SAN FRANCISCO — Sherry O. McIlwain, RN, MA, (nee Olive Pauline Mcllwain) daughter of deceased Albert Clinton and Helen Gertrude (Mitchell) McIlwain, born Oct. 24, 1928 in Methuen, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009 of complications from a stroke.

Extraordinarily skilled in her profession, she was in ardent reader, fascinating conversationalist, excellent listener, spiritually knowledgeable, and a world-traveler who enjoyed maintaining longtime friendships.

Sherry attended St. Augustine College, Raleigh, N.C., later becoming a Corrections Officer for the State of New York. After retiring, she entered Hunter College, R Y., on a scholarship, received her BA in Nursing, and worked at Jacobi Hospital, Bronx, N.Y.

In 1988 she transferred from the Dept of Veterans Affairs, VA Medical Center, Bronx, N.Y., to its affiliate in San Francisco, and later retired to advance her education,.

Obtaining an MA in Gerontology from S. F. State University, she helped initiate the 40-Hour Administrator Certification Program (RCFE), and, as its Associate} Coordinator, was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the College of Health and Human Services.

Sherry continued her career as a guest lecturer, speaker/seminar facilitator, case-manager/advisor, and panelist at statewide and university everts.

A current member of the Board of Directors, California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR); she was also a member of the Long Term Cafe Ombudsman Fragrant; member Advisory Board, S.F, Consortium for Elder Abuse; and served on the Board of Directors, Little Brothers' Friends of the Elderly,

Her professional memberships were; Senior Net, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, Coalition of Agencies Serving the Elderly (CASE), Continuity of Care Assn. Of California, Neighbor to Neighbor of S.F,, American Society on Aging, Older Women's League, Gerontological Society of America, American Nurses' Assn., and California State Nurses' Assn.

Sherry O. McIlwain is survived by beloved siblings, Helen, Charlotte, Albert and Gloria, and many loving nieces and nephews.

ARRANGEMENTS: The family expresses appreciation and gratitude for the kindness and sympathy extended them, and request in recognition of Sherry's persistent and tireless advocacy for administrative changes to assist in better life-conditions for the aging and frail elderly, donations please be made to CANHR, 650 Harrison St., 2nd Flr., San Francisco, CA 94107.