Sherry Marie (Gamache) Adams, 67, went to be with her Savior on May 18, 2014 after a valiant fight with lung disease from exposure to asbestosis. She passed away peacefully in her home and was surrounded by love, faith and family.
She was born on April 10, 1947 in Libby, Montana, the daughter of Peggy June Owen Evans and Leroy Louis Gamache. Sherry was raised by her mother Peggy and great-grandmother Emma Evans.
She was united in marriage to Duane Leon Anderson on August 5, 1963 in Bonners Ferry, ID and they made their home in Libby. They were blessed with two beautiful children, Leon Earl Anderson, born in1964 and Amber Lynne Anderson, born in 1968. Her loving husband Duane passed away on June 17, 1987 in Seattle, Washington.
In the spring of 1989 Sherry decided to begin a new chapter in her book of life and moved to Sedro-Woolley, WA where most of her siblings resided. There she met Daniel Adams and the two were joined in heart and marriage on November 29, 1992.
Dan and Sherry spent 22 years living life to the fullest doing all their favorite things. Sherry loved making a home for Dan and herself. She had a passion for life, cooking, gardening, being Dan’s biker babe on the back of his Harley, black powder shooting at rendezvous, going to the gym, camping, beading, crocheting, having a glass of wine with friends and always in her heart and on her mind was love for her family.
Sherry was the family historian. We are thankful for her interest and the ancestry trail she created. She carried the blood of the Cherokee Nation with a bit of the Hatfield persuasion. She was very proud of both.
She is survived by her husband, Daniel of the family home in Burlington, WA; son, Leon Anderson of Post Falls, ID; 2 daughters, Amber Benefield and her partner Gary Good of Libby, MT and Janel Adams Woiwod and her husband Eric of Sedro-Woolley, WA; 9 grandchildren, Duane Michel Benefield of Libby, MT, Christina Marie Benefield of Moscow, ID, Byron Fisher Benefield of Bozeman, MT, Ashley Kay Barr and Amanda Rose Anderson of Rathdrum, ID, McKayla Breanne Anderson and Katrina Logan Anderson of Post Falls, ID and Gracie Rose and Allie Woiwod of Sedro-Woolley, WA; 2 great-grandchildren, Trinity Rose Christiansen of Rathdrum, ID and Leonidus Turner Millar of Post Falls, ID; 2 brothers, Robert Mitchell and his wife Dee of Concrete, WA and Butch Allum of Sedro-Woolley, WA; 3 sisters, Wonona Kaaland and her husband Don of Sedro-Woolley, WA, Tina Mitchell-Chapel and partner Vern Montgomery of Eureka, MT and Linda Allum-Cushen of Sedro-Woolley, WA; step-dad, Theodore Allum, Sr. of Sedro-Woolley, WA; second parents, Shorty and Ethel Adams of Lyman, WA; one cousin, Darrell Katarzy and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Duane Leon Anderson; mother, Peggy June Allum; father Leroy Louis Gamache; aunt & uncle, Betty Jean & Otto Katarzy; granddaughter, Aubrey Rose Woiwod, cousin, Michael Katarzy and little brother and best friend, Wayne Douglas Mitchell.
The family wishes to express a thank you to the loving caregivers of Hospice of the Northwest, Jesse we couldn’t have made it without you and especially to her sister Tina who left her family in Montana to care for her sister. Tina, we all love you.
Memorials are suggested to Hospice of the Northwest, 227 Freeway Dr., Suite A, Mount Vernon, WA 98273 or to Shriners Hospital for Children, 911 W. 5th Ave., Spokane, WA 99204, where Sherry spent a year of her childhood.
At Sherry’s request no service will be held. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
To you who knew and loved her; “We all have wounds, but you can’t let that be an excuse to sit on the sidelines. Sometimes in life you have to PLAY IN PAIN”.
Oh Wonona-I am so sorry. I didnt know about your sister. I’m thinking of you and your family.
Love,
Casey
I would like to thank those who took the time to sign the guest book. I have enjoyed reading all the comments. My mom was the most amazing women I will ever know. I am pleased to know that she touched so many lives. I love you tons mom…..and miss you with every breath I take…
I will always be grateful for having met Sherry and daughter Amber about 9 or10 years ago. Some would say it was by chance, I think it was by God’s direction. I had gone to Libby in search of the graves of my great grandparents, George T. and Martha J. Owen and we met at City Hall both asking about relatives buried in the cemetery. She introduced me to a family I didn’t know I had. She was my second cousin. Thank You, Lord, for using her in my life. Jack (Edwards) Brisbon, Vallejo, CA
“She took a deep breath and let it go”
Sherry, my big sister and friend. By the time I was born Sherry was already on her own, living in another state and making her own life with her husband. We had no childhood memories to share, but were fortunate enough to get to know each other as adults. I cherish our time together. Forever in my heart, always loved and always remembered. Littlest sister #3
At your passing the first thing I thought was,” I have to run up stairs and throw your lipstick down to you. If you are leaving you are going to want it, like I did as a little girl when you first left home”. As sherry’s little sister of 11 years I have a lot of fond memories most of being a pain in her a$$. But siblings! everyone should have them, I know I have been greatly blessed with mine. Sissy you will be in the hearts of the rest of us as we go through the journey of our lives. Little sissy #2 Tina
Emily Dickinson once wrote;
‘I would like more sisters, that the taking out of one, might not leave such stillness.’
The heart of a sister is forever entwined in the heart of a sister. Sherry I will always cherish our life together from childhood memories, adolescent squabbles to the deep and abiding love and friendship as adults. You may have been small in stature but you will be my Big Sister for all time.
Love you to the moon and back
Little sister #1 (Wonona)
Wonona, So sorry for the loss of your sweet sister I pray God will comfort you, Dan, and all the family.
We the members of Skagit Muzzle Loaders would like to thank you for your service as an officer with SML, We will always remember you as that strong willed person that even knowing your future you were always looking forward to that one last thing that you wanted to do before that final day came, you girl were an inspiration to all that knew you, you will always be in our hearts.
the “Deacon”
Aunt Sherry made a dress for my daughter Sydney. She wore it to my wedding to her first father. I still have it and will keep it with fond memories of her.
Sherry, You are one of the Owen family that We met at the first Owen Reunion in Libby, MT. some 30 odd yrs. ago. We have kept our friendship alive with first My Space than when Face Book came alone we have spent many hours on it catching up with all the Family news and History.
We have enjoyed all the hours we have spent together when we came to Sedro Woolley to visit you and Dan.
Now you have gone home and left us all behind to meet again and have another Family Reunion on the other side.
Our prayers are with Dan and the family left here.
Love u all Delores & Edward (the Oklahoma Cousins.
God’s speed to the arms of the Owens/Evans waiting for you. And the reunion there will surely be. May their hugs bring you eternal peace and happiness.
Wonona, I am so sorry for the loss of your sister..your in my prayers sweetie..love you
Dan & Family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. We had the privilege to know Sherry and have her touch our lives, her infectious smile, drive for life and her most genuine heart will always be remembered. She will always be that star in the sky to us. Our love and prayers to you all!
Dan, Janel and families:
We are so very sorry for your loss. Sherry was one amazing woman. To have known her for so many years has been our pleasure. She enjoyed life to fullest and left so many lasting memories for all of you. We are here for you, please let us know if there is anything at all we can do. We love you!
So very sorry family for your loss! I was happy to know Sherry for only a little bit of time, but in that little bit of time she made a huge impression on my heart!!!
Love, Bren