SHERRILL SIDORSKI

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SHERRILL SIDORSKI

Sherrill was predeceased by her husband, Wally (d 2017), her parents, her stepmother Margaret (Peggy) (Fraser) Woolley (d 1997), cousins, Cora-lee and Denis Woolley, Elizabeth (Woolley) Sharpe.

She is survived by her brother, Joseph Morton Woolley, her stepchildren, daughter and son-in-law, Kirstie (Sidorski) and Brad Meisner and their family, Adam and Jennifer Meisner, Garrett Meisner, son, Steven Sidorski, cousins, Joanne (Woolley) Ioanidis (d James), Phyllis (Woolley) and Gord McTaggart, Dale (Morton), Webster (d Brian) and their families and the families of Cora-lee and Denis Woolley and Elizabeth Sharpe.

Sherrill was born February 4, 1942 at Misericordia Hospital, Winnipeg, MB to Adrienne D. (Morton) (d 1964) and William H. (Binks) Woolley (d 1984).

We lived at our paternal grandparents’ home on Lyndale Dr., Norwood during the war years.

She never knew her father through the war years as he was posted overseas a few months after she was born and not until his return in 1946.

Her father wanted to get back to his profession, golf pro/greens keeper. He was hired by Pine Ridge Golf Club and the family moved to the municipality of North Springfield.

Sherrill always loved animals and it was during this time she got her two dogs, Blackie and later Buddy.

Sherrill began her schooling there at N. Springfield, a two-room school and met her life-long friend Sharon (Wyatt) Mihalyk (d Ray) in grade three. She completed her grade nine there.

Through family friends, the Devissers and Gordons, who were into horses and riding, she learned to ride, becoming quite an accomplished rider, receiving her own horse from Eve Gordon.

The family then moved to Pine Falls, MB where she completed her grade 12. She participated in many school activities, joined the cadets, junior NCO, Army Militia RCOC, 6th Battalion, 1964 to 1967, played in the school marching band and continued golfing. During the summer months she helped her parents at the golf club in the Pro shop and concessions.

She then went to St. Boniface Hospital to pursue a nursing career. Unfortunately, she was unable to complete the course.

When her mother passed away she stayed home to help her father for a while.

She then began working at Shell Oil in the mail office for about four years and also began living in her own apartment.

She then applied to the Manitoba Red Cross in 1966 as a driver for the blood services department, later becoming a Supervisor of that department in 1976. She retired from the Red Cross Blood Services in 1988.

During this period, she and a friend, Shirley Buydens, joined a dance studio in order to be able to get out and socialize a bit more. She became quite proficient and eventually became an instructor. She belonged to the Manitoba Ballroom Dance Instructors Association and was their secretary for a number of years. Through this Association, she travelled to a few places in Canada to participate in dance competitions and demonstration dances.

She realized that many people were more into learning social dancing and later started her own small dance business, Dance-Time. She taught social dancing to individuals, small groups and the handicapped.

Also, through the years she was able to travel a few times with family or friends. Hawaii twice, a European bus tour and a number of places in Canada and the USA.

She then worked for Mr. Allan Rutherford at the Bridge Drive-In (BDI) through the summer months and at his customs brokerage office in the winter.

Mutual friends decided that Sherrill and Wally should meet and they were paired at a Corvette Club water table on a Manitoba Marathon Sunday. They got along very well and started dating for a short time, then getting married.

Again, on a Manitoba Marathon day June 6, 1986, first working the water table, getting changed and then being married at the Bridge Drive-In parking lot.

They lived south of Anola on highway 12, Wally-World. Sherrill enjoyed the rural life. She adopted many cats that had wandered onto the property after being left off on the roadside.

Wally's involvement with the Corvette Club of Manitoba introduced Sherrill to a whole new group and she readily took part in many of their functions.

She enjoyed watching all the wildlife and birds that came through the property. She continued to work summers at the Bridge Drive-in and mainly in winter, teach social dancing to individuals and small groups.

When Wally became ill, she stayed home to care for his needs until his passing.

She stayed on at the property for a few years until her health began failing and she found it difficult to maintain. She sold the property just when Covid began, which made it difficult to get to see rental properties. She was very thankful when Kirstie and Brad offered her a vacant apartment that was available. Sherrill adapted quite quickly to city living and it was more convenient and closer to all her medical appointments.

Sherrill was a kind, caring person and made friends easily. Through her various work places and associations, she met many people, some becoming long-time friends and acquaintances and she valued them all, dearly.

She was highly respected by her employers for her work ethic, diligence and ability to have effective interpersonal relations with her colleagues, staff and members of the public.

She could also be stubborn and if she didn't think something was right, would certainly voice her opinion.

She will be missed so very much by her family and dear friends.

Sherrill had many medical issues throughout her life. The family would like to thank and acknowledge all those involved with her care through the years, her doctors, therapists, specialists, CancerCare Manitoba, care givers various hospitals, clinics.

Also, a special thank you to all those on Ward 05A, 5th floor, St. Boniface Hospital for their care and kindness during her last three weeks.

Sherrill supported many charities and organizations both locally and internationally. If friends so desire, donations in memory of Sherrill may be made to a charity of your choice.

Cremation has taken place and Sherrill and Wally's remains will be interred at a later date in early spring.

Chapel Lawn Funeral Home

204-885-9715

Tribute Link: www.chapellawn.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 30, 2023, Dec 30, 2023