Sherry Lynn Peterson

Sherry Lynn (Harris) Peterson
Beloved Wife of 47 Years, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Cousin and Friend
Sherry passed away peacefully at home on May 11, 2023, surrounded by her family, just as she wished for. She was an absolute gem, trapped in a body that just couldn't keep up with her. She lived with Interstitial Lung Disease for many years and got diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer at the end of last year. Even as these debilitating diseases took hold, she continued to do everything in her power to take care of and enjoy time with her family (her favorite things to do).
Sherry was born March 5, 1961 in Wichita, Kansas. She spent just enough time there to carry a deep-seeded fear of tornadoes with her throughout her life. She was the first-born child of Barbara & Jack. She was followed by her brother Jack and her sister Debra. She loved them both dearly (though, we did hear a childhood tale of Jack shooting her with a BB gun, which led her to push him down the stairs anyone that knows Jack, knows he had that coming!). Their family moved to Texas and Sherry settled right into her new home. Another family favorite story was adorable little Sherry, with her curly red hair, running outside to see the family leaving and shouting, "Where y'all goin'?". In the years to come, she also loved spending time in the country with Barbara and Bud.
In May of 1976, Sherry took on a babysitting job that changed the course of her life. Her boss got a ride home from Duane Peterson and he thought they should be introduced. Dad was smitten from the moment he set eyes on her, sitting there with her red "lion mane" (as he calls it), freckles, her flannel plaid shirt and torn up bell bottoms. He said he had never met a girl like her before. He went directly to his best friends' home to tell them he had met the woman he was going to marry. Six months later, they were married. Their beloved first-born, Dwayne Mark, passed shortly after birth. Their children, Stephanie Ann, Mark Daniel and Renee Natalie followed after. Sherry was not only an amazing mother to her own children, she was a natural mother to all that crossed her path.
Sherry loved her children beyond measure, but the arrival of her grandchildren opened an entirely new avenue of love for her. Stephanie and Steven's three children, Raven, Makayla and Kjell and Renee and Ronnie's child, Euen brought her immense joy and pride. We see lovely pieces of her in each of them. She was also a loving aunt to Jack's son Austin and Debra's children, Curtis, Kyle, John and Rosemary and great aunt to her daughter Eleanor.
Sherry was "Mom" to every one of her children's friends. She possessed a strength, compassion and warmth that enveloped anyone in her presence. She always saw the best in people, meeting them without judgement, full acceptance and unconditional love. She gave us her all, and then some, without a second thought. As her son-in-law said, she took in all strays. Her mothering knew no bounds. We are all so lucky to have had her. Her positivity, light and love continue in each of us.
Sherry loved nothing more than to be surrounded by her family, feeding us, making us laugh and relaxing. That could only be improved upon by moving that to a waterfront. She loved sitting on a porch or deck with her cup of Black Silk with Coffee Mate and sugar and a cigarette, just taking in the views, surrounded by her loved ones. She loved when her out-of-state family was able to join. A true Southern matriarch, like her mother before her, she enjoyed meticulously orchestrating holidays and trips with her children, grandchildren, siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews always making sure we had plenty to eat.
The world needed her, we needed her. The void she leaves behind is vast, but her light, legacy and love will continue through time. The world is a better place having had her in it and we are all better people for having known her and been loved by her.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the family can be made to http://www.gofundme.com/f/for-the-petersons or Venmo: @renee_main