Sherry DeLorenzo was known to WORT and many others in the community as a cheerful and tireless volunteer who loved music and helping out at summer festivals, including the WORT Block Party and Central Park Sessions. Family and friends are holding a celebration of Sherry’s life at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 25 at the Elk’s Club, 711 Jenifer Street. Below is her obituary.
Sharon Diane DeLorenzo, daughter of Charlotte and Victor DeLorenzo, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017. She was surrounded by her “posse” as she called the friends who walked with her through her year and a half journey with cancer.
Sherry was born in Racine, Wis., on Nov. 26, 1960. She was diagnosed at the age of 13 with leukemia but beat it and Sherry never took that victory for granted. Quite the opposite. She lived every day with the enthusiastic gratitude of a survivor and never missed an opportunity to enjoy her favorites. She loved music, concerts, travel, Racine kringle (Bendtsen’s pecan!), nature, grandeur, and people. Every. Single. One.
She lived in Milwaukee in her 20’s, then moved to Madison to attend Edgewood College where she earned a degree in Child Life Therapy, because she wanted to use her personal experiences with childhood cancer to help other children dealing with illness. That career path never really materialized for Sherry but that didn’t keep her from bringing her compassion to everything she did. Sherry was a volunteer extraordinaire. She was, for years, a major organizer of the Diabetes Association Tour de Cure as well as numerous area music festivals, including the Fete de Marquette and Orton Park Fest Commonwealth fundraisers, and many other worthy causes. She worked many years for the Dane County United Way where she made many lifelong friends. Until her illness she had been working at American Family Insurance and her employer handled her illness with exemplary compassion and kindness, for which she was sincerely grateful. Her friends also wish to extend their gratitude to AFI.
Sherry is survived by her three brothers, Victor (Karen) DeLorenzo, Steve (Laura) DeLorenzo, and Joe (Julia) DeLorenzo; nieces and nephews, including Malachi, Kiko, Peri, Steve Jr., and Charlotte; and many loving cousins and her countless friends. Special shout out to the “posse” who tended to her through her cancer journey. You know who you are. Sherry was so grateful to her posse and never missed an opportunity to say so.
Her brother Joseph posted this note of remembrance on her profile: “One month ago we left my sister Sherry’s home in the glow of the full Wolf Moon. I popped my head back in to tell her that there was a full moon. As we were warming the car to leave, Sherry(with the assistance of her long time friend Cheri) came out onto the front porch to see the moon. As we pulled away, waving to Sherry, I knew it would be the last time I would see my sister.
Early this morning, during the fading light of the full Bone Moon(some of you will know the significance of this name), the meteor shower, and the eclipse, Sherry left our world for the infinite. I will miss her smile, her ever-present want to give me a “crack”, and her love of music. Never will I listen to Dylan, The Beatles, Bruce, and countless others, without her spirit grooving along with me. I love you Sherrine. Goodbye.”
A celebration of life will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at the Elk’s Club, 711 Jenifer Street, Madison. Anyone who has questions can go to foondee2@gmail.com and leave contact information and we will let you know. Gift donations in Sherry’s name can be made to American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison. Please denote donations contribute to the Go Baby Go Early Mobility program.
To view and sign the guestbook from her service, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com There’s still time to send flowers to the Celebration of Life at the Elk’s Club from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on March 25, 2017.