Sherry Lee Canon

Sherry Lee Jared was born in January of 1956 to Nellie and Bud Jared. She was loved and doted on by grandparents and many an aunt and uncle. Sherry was the eldest of her six siblings, and dearly loved each one of them. In early adulthood, Sherry left her small PNW hometown and set off for New York. Although she ultimately returned home to raise a family, that spirit of adventure stayed with her all her life. She was always ready to plan her next road trip, wake up early, pack her kids into the car with the luggage, and set off to see whatever there was to see; music up, and snacks at the ready for anyone along for the ride. In 1980, Sherry and her husband welcomed their first child. They moved their young family to Oklahoma, where she enrolled at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, and studied to become a Registered Nurse. Earning her degree in 1985, she was among other graduates of the first nursing program at Northwestern. Soon after earning her degree as an RN, she and her husband moved their family home to Spokane. She then was hired on as part of the nursing team at Sacred Heart Medical Center, where she stayed for over 20 years until her retirement from the profession. The house Sherry and her husband bought and moved into when they returned to Spokane in 1985, was the home in which their children were raised to adulthood. It was important to Sherry to provide her children with one stable home throughout their childhood, as she recalled disliking having to move and change schools growing up. She was determined her kids would not have to do the same. In 1989, the family of three welcomed a baby girl. And in 1991, they welcomed a baby boy. Being a nurse was Sherry’s professional calling, but being a mother was as natural for her as breathing. She provided many joyful and lovely childhood memories for her children. She never wavered in her love and devotion to them. Sherry later welcomed six grandchildren, whom she loved and cherished. Shyla, Henry, Charlotte, Junior, Alienna, and Dusty. She was dearly loved by her sons-in-law. Sherry passed away in August of 2022, surrounded by her children. She took her last breath with her hands in theirs. At the gates of heaven, Sherry was reunited with those she lost in life. Her father and mother, Bud and Nellie. And her sister, Deanna. She is survived by her daughters; Leah (Matt), and Brittany (Carlos), and her son Cameron. Her sister Sheila (Tom), brothers Randy (Suzanne), Damon (Maria), Derek (Robin), and sister April (Rob).

~ I miss you momma, with all my heart. But just as much as I miss you, I thank you. Thank you for your warmth and your strength, even when you had to dig deep to find it. Thank you for always making us a priority. For being our safe place, and the calm in any storm. Thank you for the countless hours you spent reading to us, and repeating nursery rhymes. Thank you for fishing with us, and teaching us how to catch frogs. And how to hold them gently. And then reminding us to let them free. Thank you for displaying fearless wanderlust! For teaching us how to read road maps, and road signs. And instilling in us the joy of driving American freeways just to see what we could find. You always reminded us how lucky we are to be able to wander freely among the United States. And to be thankful to those who fight for our rights. You gave us the very best of yourself. And when you left, you left us with your love and the tools to be good, decent human beings. You are all around us still. Thank you for being our mom. ~