Sheri McGuinness

Sharon Michele McGuinness was born in Pennsylvania on November 6, 1954 to Robert and Barbara Harper. She was the middle child of 5. From an early age, she was a loving, nurturing, caretaker who was quick to take up a cause. These qualities would be a constant throughout her life.

She grew to be a poster flower child and eventually met and married Joe McGuinness. They had 4 children. 2 boys (Joe and Bob) and twin girls (Katie and Susie).

Sheri was a loving wife and being a Mother was her greatest Joy, until eventually becoming a Grandma. She was kind, patient, caring, and gentle with all of her children. She was naturally all of the things that a Mother should be.

The McGuinness house was always full of friends, kids, and pets. Everyone was always welcome. If you were in her house, you weren’t a stranger, you were family. You’d get loads of music, conversation, and be fed, no matter who you were.

When Joe died, Sheri became a dedicated and tireless advocate for Suicide Prevention programs and support for Survivors throughout the state of GA. She eventually became the President of Suicide Prevention Action Network of Georgia, and remained in that position until her passing. She changed more lives and did more good than can be properly expressed.

Sheri is survived by her son, Joe McGuinness; her daughters, Katie Reece and Susie Garrett; her daughter in law, Calais McGuinness; her son's in law, Josh Reece and Jeff Garrett; her grandchildren, Matilda McGuinness, Logan McGuinness, Carter Reece, and Owen Garrett; her brother, Bob Harper; her sister, Susan McLeay; her sister in law, Jane Harper; her brother in law, Dave McLeay; her nieces and nephews, Kevin Renna, Faye Renna, Steven Renna, Jordan Renna, Michael Renna, Laura Renna, Marc Renna, Erin Renna, Jacob Harper, Michelle Harper, and Rebecca Harper; her grandnieces and grandnephews, Vivian Renna, Garrison Renna, Hudson Renna, Mason Renna, Brennan Renna, Finn Renna, Lily Harper, Kellan Harper, Isaac Harper, and Amelia Harper. She is preceded in death by her son, Bob McGuinness; her husband, Joseph McGuinness; her sister, Mary Harper; her brother, Dave Harper; and her parents, Robert and Barbara Harper.

These bullet points in no way do justice to the incredible life Sheri lived. She had a hard go of it, but always met life with grace and love. Her strength was an inspiration to all who knew her.

She was a doer of good and an example for us all as humans, parents, and friends. Her heart was so full of love that it overflowed and filled us up too.

The world is better because she was in it.