Sherry Helsley Gordon

Sherry Helsley Gordon, 54, of Port Republic, VA, peacefully passed away on April 3, 2009, in the loving company of her family, friends, and pastor.

Sherry was born on January 28, 1955 in Woodstock, VA and was the daughter of the late Elmer A. Helsley, Jr. and Charlotte Bauserman Helsley.

Sherry attended Central High School and received a B.S. in Social Work from James Madison University. She was employed by Harrisonburg-Rockingham County Department of Social Services, where she fulfilled her calling helping those in need.

Sherry never forgot her native Shenandoah County, where she visited often and maintained lifelong friendships. She especially enjoyed spending time with her many friends, loved to cook, especially desserts, which her family says she inherited from her mother. She also had a knack for decorating her home.

Sherry loved to travel, having been places and seen things she never imagined possible as a child. Due to her illness however, she was not able to visit Ireland, a country she always hoped to visit.

Sherry was a committed Christian, devoted to her church, where she served as an elder and deacon. She found great joy helping others in need by working on many mission trips in the U.S. and abroad.

In her spare time, Sherry developed a special interest in playing bridge, and she always found happiness in playing games with friends and family, where her quiet and subtle competitiveness would show.

At the end of every day, nothing brought her more happiness than a brilliant sunset, which put a finishing touch on each day, and helped her always remember how blessed she was in so many ways.

Sherry is survived by her husband of 30 years, Steven H. Gordon, whom she married on September 9, 1978, her daughter, Ashley R. Gordon and boyfriend Frank Saffoori, her son, Andrew R. Gordon and his wife Beth L. Gordon. Also surviving are sisters Sandra H. Simpson and her husband David Simpson of Hamilton, VA, and Kay Helsley of Woodstock, VA.

The family will receive friends on Monday April 6th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Kyger Funeral Home located at 3173 Spotswood Trail in Harrisonburg, VA.

Burial service will be held on Tuesday April 7, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. conducted by Rev. John Leggett at Massanutten Presbyterian Church, located at 50 Indian Trail Road in Penn Laird, VA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Massanutten Presbyterian Church or to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, in memory of Sherry Gordon.

Friends and family may view this obituary and share memories and condolences at www.Kygers.com.

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