Roberta "Bobbie" B. Sherk

Roberta Boesch Sherk, age 81, passed away peacefully on Feb. 28 after a long battle with ovarian cancer. She is survived by her husband of 52 years Robert Sherk; her daughter Patricia Kelley; her son Paul Sherk; and her daughter Marianne Detling. She is also survived by her brother Larry Boesch and sister Martie Callihan. She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Alma Boesch and her brother Norman Boesch.

She was beloved by and doted on her seven grandchildren: Ryan, Reagan and Rhett Sherk; Elise and Graeme Kelley; and Grace and Samantha Detling.

Bobbie, as she was known, was born in Dayton, Ohio, and graduated from Julienne High School, an all-girls school where she was taught by Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. She joined the order after high school and was associated with them until 1970 when she left to marry and raise a family. While part of the order, she earned undergraduate degrees in home economics and education from Edgecliff College in Cincinnati (now part of Xavier University) and the University of Dayton, respectively. She taught home economics at Centerville High School in Centerville, Ohio.

Later, she earned a masters in theology from the Spring Hill College. She was a longtime educator at John Carroll Catholic High School in Birmingham, Alabama, where she taught Catholic theology to a generation of students. After she retired, she became a lay member of the Carmelites order.

She was a devoted member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Birmingham and often worshipped at the Cathedral of Saint Paul in downtown Birmingham.

A memorial mass for Bobbie Sherk will be held on Saturday at 11 am at Our Lady Of Lourdes Church 980 Huffman Rd Birmingham Al 35215. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bobbie’s honor to John Carroll Catholic Educational Foundation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutstrussvillechapel.com for the Sherk family.