Dr Sheryl Anne Smith PhD

CHESHIRE, CT. – Accomplished, Dedicated Psychologist, Specializing in University Athletics – Dr. Sheryl Anne Smith, Ph.D., age 65, of Cheshire, passed away while with her family in her favorite vacation destination, Sanibel Island, Florida, from a sudden pulmonary embolism. She was the devoted wife of Steven Schneider, M.D., President of Saint Mary's Hospital, Trinity Health of NE.
Dr. Smith was born on December 3, 1956 in Fort Huachuca, AZ the daughter of Ernest and Anne (Hall) Smith of Woods Hole, MA. Sheri was a clinical psychologist who received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Connecticut in 1985, and did her fellowship at the Yale University School of Medicine. She was on the staff of the Highland Drive Veterans Administration Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA before going into private practice in Connecticut. A former college athlete in Ice Hockey and Track, she pursued additional education and training in sport psychology and was a Certified Mental Performance Consultant through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. Dr. Smith also consulted with university sports teams and was a member of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee Registry of Sport Psychologists. Her performance consulting also included professional athletes, musicians, dancers, pilots and others who must perform well under high stress conditions. She published several chapters in sport psychology textbooks used in universities across the country.
While she excelled in her career, her greatest joy in life came from her family. A devoted daughter, wife and mother, Sheri enjoyed each and every moment spent in the company of her family. She was a passionate gardener, an avid bicyclist, and an excellent tennis player who cherished her time on the court with her dear friends in the Copper Valley Tennis Club.
Sheri maintained a high level of activity and vibrance, even during her courageous five year battle with stage 4 metastatic melanoma, which she fought into complete remission. Her strength during her journey served as an inspiration to other cancer patients fighting the same fight, and many of those fighting alongside her became great friends. She will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know and love her.
Left to honor her memory and cherish her legacy, beside her parents and husband, are her children; Marissa Schneider of West Hollywood, CA, Ben Schneider, of Boston, MA, and Steph Balint of Southington, CT. She also leaves her siblings; her brother, Bret Smith and sister, Tara Franklin, both of Falmouth, MA. The family would especially like to thank Drs Harriet Kluger and Scott Huntington and the staff of the Smilow Cancer Center, who led her courageous fight against cancer and helped her achieve a wonderful additional chapter to her life.
A celebration of Sheri's life will be held on Monday, February 28, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Aria Banquet Hall, 45 Murphy Rd Prospect CT. As flowers and gardening were such an important part of Sheri's life, those planning to attend are respectfully requested to wear floral patterns, or if unavailable, otherwise colorful attire. Sheri's celebration will be live streamed at: https://vimeo.com/682899120/50cb240e91. The family would especially like to thank and acknowledge; Drs Harriet Kluger and Scott Huntington and the staff of the Smilow Cancer Center, who led Sheri's courageous fight against cancer and helped her achieve a wonderful additional chapter to her life. Casey's Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been honored to assist the Smith and Schneider families during this most difficult time. Memories endure only if you share them, so if you have a fond memory, words of comfort, or a condolence for Sheri's family, please add it to her Tribute Page at www.eastsidememorial.com.