Sheryl Jean Shipman

December 18, 1957 - October 31, 2014

Shipman Sheryl Jean (Smith) Sheryl J. Shipman, 56, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2014 surrounded by her loving family and friends at James OSU Cancer Center in Columbus Ohio. She was born in Toledo on December 18, 1957 to Sylvester “Sonny” and Nancy (Hershey) Smith. Sherrie was passionate in her role as supervisor of the TORCH facility, (Toledo’s Organized Recreation for the Handicapped) a city of Toledo Therapeutic Recreation Program for children and adults with developmental disabilities for 30 years. She was instrumental in the development and implementation of the annual “Very Special Arts” festivals (a sister to Special Olympics) showcasing the artistic accomplishments of special needs students and adults of Northwest Ohio. Sheryl then became a manager of Parks and Recreation for the City of Toledo where she developed all recreation programs including: athletics, seniors, Ottawa Park Ice Rink, and special events such as the National Amateur Baseball Federation College World Series, who awarded her “Women of the Year” for her outstanding leadership. She enjoyed world travel, gardening, and reading. Sherrie loved dolphins, angels, sunsets, seashells enjoyed shopping on QVC, gourmet cuisine, and her dog Parker. She was an avid Ohio State and Detroit Tiger fan. She will be remembered as a very kind and compassionate person by all that knew her. She is survived by her loving son, Nathan & Laura (Rochowiak) Shipman; parents Sylvester “Sonny” & Nancy (Hershey) Smith; siblings, Fred & Janet (Smith) Szlachcic, William & Jill (Smith) Maggins, Jeff & Penny (Ritenour) Smith, Dave & Amy (Wolf) Smith, ; nieces and nephews, Kassie & Brent, Nancy, Billy, Kyle, Chelsea, Brad, Macy, and great-niece Lexi. She was preceded in death by her nephew Corey Smith; grandfather Sylvester Smith; grandmother Audrey Hershey and son Deacon Shipman. Friends are invited to visit after 1:00pm on Wednesday November 5, 2014 in the Ansberg-West Funeral Home, 3000 W. Sylvania Ave. where services will follow beginning at 7:00pm. Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the Special Olympics of Toledo or The Victory Center. To send her family online condolences, please visit www.ansberg-west.com.