Sharon “Sherry” (Barrett) Hagerty, 78, passed away surrounded by her family in Plainwell MI on June 26, 2026. She was born on March 16, 1948 in Woodbury TN, the daughter of Prentice and Irene (Ritchie) Barrett.

Sherry was the proud mother of four children. She married Dennis Broadworth in April 1968 and had two daughters, Juli (Todd) Swenson and Jennifer (David Fortune) Broadworth. In December 1981, she married William “Bill” Hagerty, and they grew the family with sons William (Caitlin) Hagerty and Matthew (Angela) Hagerty.

She loved the great outdoors, and her heart called her to live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for most of her adult life. She resided in Munising, Wetmore, Gladstone, and most recently on Drummond Island. She loved camping, hiking, canoeing, exploring her peninsula and island, and sleeping under the stars. She always claimed that she was more afraid of running into other people while camping than any wild animal. Her favorite quote was “There are some who can live without wild things, and some who cannot,” and she was one that most definitely could not.

Sherry was a lifelong learner, and her interests were wide ranging, including history, art, science, gardening, and cooking. An avid reader, she possessed an unrivaled collection of books and an incredible number of cookbooks. She was a self-proclaimed “prepper” who took immense joy in learning survival skills and sharing her knowledge with family and friends. Her curiosity and desire to learn never wavered as she aged, and she enjoyed taking online classes through Hillsdale College. Sherry hoped that heaven would allow her to see every chapter of history unfold and finally know the answers to the questions that fascinated her throughout her life. She also looked forward to seeing every work of art ever created and visiting all the places around the world she had never had the opportunity to see in person.

A hard worker, Sherry held a variety of jobs throughout her life. Her most notable endeavors included the Hiawatha Resort and Campground that she owned with her husband Bill Hagerty in Wetmore MI. Here she truly found her passion for living among the wild things, welcoming guests who would become lifelong friends, homesteading, and homeschooling her sons. She later owned Frigate Books, a bookstore in Gladstone MI, where she was able to share her love of reading and learning with her community. Sherry spent several years caring for her mother in Elkhart IN, and it was in Elkhart that she found another favorite occupation, working for 820 Antiques. She loved “old things” and she felt unbelievably blessed by the friends she made there. In 2021, Sherry retired to Drummond Island where she enjoyed reading, cooking, gardening, and nature. She was so proud of her island life and the friendships, community, and sense of belonging she found among its residents.

She will be remembered by all as many things, none of them fully able to encompass what she was to everyone. She was the embodiment of strength but also love. For those of us blessed to know her as mom, grandma, great grandma, aunt, sister, and daughter, the thing that stood out the most was her love for us. She willingly gave all of herself to each of us, met us where we were, and never wanted more or less from any of us, but simply loved us unconditionally. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were the single largest point of pride for her. She would tell anyone who would listen how proud she was of her family. They were the greatest joy in her life.

Sherry is survived by her four children; her grandchildren Ashley (A.J.) Maxon, Addison “Addie” Skowronski, Annalyn Hagerty, Logan Hagerty, and Leia Hagerty; her great-grandchildren Gunnar and Kenzi Maxon; her siblings Brenda Huff, Steve (Nancy) Barrett, Dan (Gail) Barrett; and many beloved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. In her final days, Sherry said that she was not in a hurry to get to heaven, but she sure was excited to see it. Her surviving family takes comfort in knowing that she has been reunited in heaven with her father, mother, brother-in-law Dennis Huff, and other members of her extended family.

In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Above the clouds
A bright horizon glows,
And our loved one walks
With Someone who knows
The depth of our pain
Because of His loss,
And the joy of our hope
Because of the Cross!
               Written by Sherry Hagerty, January 1990

While visiting Sharon’s webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.The family is being assisted by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 120 S. Woodhams St. Plainwell, MI 49080 (269-685-5881).