06/18/2026
Losing my Aunt Sherry made me realize that all of my aunts, both maternal and paternal, have influenced the woman I am today. Each of them possessed qualities that I admired and hoped to embody one day.
My Aunt Sherry was truly one of a kind. If you ever met her, you know that her personality was unlike anyone else’s. Her comebacks were quick, her wit was effortless, and she had a way of making everyone around her laugh. She could light up a room without even trying. There was an authenticity about her that made people gravitate toward her, and she never pretended to be anything other than herself.
One of the hardest parts of losing my Aunt Sherry was watching dementia slowly steal pieces of the woman we knew. It was heartbreaking to witness a disease strip away the beautiful personality that made her so special. The quick humor, the sharp comebacks, and the vibrant spirit that defined her were gradually overshadowed by a condition she never asked for and did not deserve. There were moments when it felt unfair to watch someone so full of life become affected by a disease that took so much from her. Yet even through that difficult journey, there were still glimpses of the Sherry we all loved—moments that reminded us that beneath the disease, her beautiful soul remained.
As I’ve reflected on her life, I’ve realized that she left pieces of herself in all of us. Her humor, her strength, her boldness, and her ability to speak her mind are qualities I will always cherish. Though her absence leaves a space that can never truly be filled, I am grateful for the memories, the lessons, and the love she shared so freely.
While dementia may have changed many things, it never changed the impact she had on those who loved her. Her legacy lives on in the stories we tell, the laughter we share, and the parts of her that continue to shine through each of us. I will miss her deeply, but I will carry her spirit with me always.