Sharon A. Sorensen

Sharon Ann Sorensen (Stickney), 73, of Kalamazoo, Michigan entered into eternal rest and into the arms of her loving husband and dearly missed mother on March 23, 2023. She fought a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer, living her life abounding in strength, humor, and unwavering optimism. As she drew her last breath, family and friends surrounded her in loving care and prayer. Preceding her in death by 11 weeks, her husband of 35 years, William H. Sorensen; beloved parents Lynn Myrl Stickney and Dorothy Helen (Krueger) Stickney. Surviving are brothers Douglas Lynn (Cheryl) Stickney and James Myrl Stickney; step-daughters Jennifer (Dave) Barry and Katrina (David) Steele; Grandchildren Gabriella and Kyle (Lauren) Barry; Brenna, Lydia, and Elyse Steele; niece Jennifer (Mike Ebanks) Stickney; nephews Jeffrey Stickney, Mark (Nicole) Stickney, and Todd Stickney; great-granddaughters Malaya and Nyla Barry; and many dear friends.

Sherry was born May 20, 1949 to Lynn Myrl Stickney and Dorothy Helen (Krueger) Stickney in Dowagiac, Michigan. As a child she attended Decatur Public Schools and sang in the Decatur First Presbyterian Church choir. Sherry was the youngest of three children; together with her two older brothers they figured out how to successfully torment their parents and neighbors with their unique brand of humor. Sherry’s kindness, authenticity, and never-give-up attitude paved the way for many adventures including cheerleading, 2nd runner up in a Miss Decatur pageant, thespian club, school plays, and class president. Upon her graduation from high school in 1967, she was voted “Most Likely To Succeed.” 

Sherry kicked off her college experience at Michigan State University enrolled in a Medical Technician program. But fun-loving Sherry had a bit too much fun and accidentally blew up the science lab! After being dismissed from that program, she persevered and discovered her passion of art, history, and anthropology; graduating from MSU in 1971.  Sherry worked for many years in Kalamazoo, MI and Cincinnati, OH as a legal secretary and volunteered as a docent with the Cincinnati Art Museum. 

In 1988, Sherry married William “Bill” Sorensen. Together they built a life focused around church, family and friends. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo, MI and an active participant in Presbyterian Women. She was a Sunday School Shepard and a Deacon, participating in adult study and fellowship groups. Sherry was a dear friend to the whole congregation and a willing particpant and helper for countless projects. There was no part of First Presbyterian Church not touched by Bill and Sherry Sorensen.

Sherry lived her life with humility, gentleness, patience, and tolerance; extending grace and acceptance to everyone. She changed the world through her positive spirit, laughter, joy, and selflessness. She was an angel walking among us and touched so many lives. "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rules, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

A joint memorial service for Bill and Sherry Sorensen will be held Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 1:00pm in Kalamazoo’s First Presbyterian Church, 321 W. South Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.  Interment will be in the church Columbarium. Contributions may be sent in Sherry’s memory to First Presbyterian Church of Kalamazoo Pine Island Chapel Building Fund.