Sherry Drew — beautiful, multi-talented, wonderfully irrepressible — passed away Monday, March 29, at home surrounded by her family after a battle with cancer. She was 58.

It’s difficult to translate a life as big and vibrant as Sherry’s into words. Here is a brief glimpse into her colorful life and the things we love most about our Sherry Drew.

Sherry was born Dec. 15, 1962, at Camp Pendleton, Calif., to Thomas and Mahin Williams. In her youth, Sherry spent time living in Germany, Iran, Alabama and, mainly, Chula Vista, Calif., where she graduated with high honors from Bonita Vista High School in 1981.

She met James Drew on Christmas Day 1986, while both were working at SeaWorld in San Diego. They were married June 27, 1987, and welcomed a daughter, Jamie Mahin, on Nov. 24, 1987. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Algona, Iowa, where Sherry took a job as a makeup artist; she continued that work in 1990-91 when the family moved to Iowa City, Iowa.

In 1991, Sherry, James and Jamie moved to Colorado Springs, Colo., and Sherry began working at The Citadel, where she would serve in multiple capacities over the next 30 years. On Oct. 20, 1993, the couple welcomed their second child, Joseph Thomas.

Despite divorcing on May 21, 2007, Sherry and James remained lifelong friends and Sherry, James, Jamie and Joseph continued to function as a close family.

As of Sherry’s passing, she was Vice President of Leasing for Namdar, which oversees The Citadel and Chapel Hills Malls in Colorado Springs. Sherry also had leasing responsibilities for Namdar properties nationwide.

Here are a few of Sherry’s favorite things . . .

Sherry loved and adored her family and was fiercely loyal to them. One of her joys was supporting Jamie’s competitive dance career, mostly during her time at Robin’s Danceworks. Sherry not only guided Jamie, but many of the girls and boys who spent time dancing at Robin’s. Sherry and Jamie would occasionally have full-on dance parties in the living room — just the two of them. Fortunately, neither of them was injured during many years of two-steppin’ in the house 🙂 Jamie and Sherry were less mother-daughter and more best friends, a special relationship that continues in spirit.

Though wrestling is a tough sport on mothers, Sherry supported Joseph as a wrestler at Widefield High School, and their relationship blossomed over the past eight years as Joseph worked alongside Sherry in administration at The Citadel. She enjoyed spending quality time with Joseph and his friends. Sherry and Joe loved playing “How much would I have to give you to . . . “ Sherry organized numerous family/friend game nights #ThursdatesForever

Sherry never met an animal she didn’t love. James always said Sherry and Jamie were magnets for stray animals. Many times he would come home from work and there would be a new furry face to greet him. Sherry owned and doted on two horses, Dusty and Mocha, as well as several dogs (Snoopy, Chang, Satchiko, Mowgli, Lainey, Pierre, UB, Captain and Sookie), and cats (Figaro, Mr. Robinson, Sassy and Arya), among others over her lifetime. Birds, squirrels, bunnies, etc., were referred to by Sherry as “the outside pets.” They were all spoiled.

Sherry enjoyed badminton and paddle-boating. She loved running and ran many 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons. She could often be found slowing down to aid runners in their quest to finish. In 2015, she ran 12 half marathons; in short, she was a total badass.

Sherry had myriad music tastes; her favorites included Dwight Yoakam, The English Beat, Cheap Trick, Ellie Goulding, ABC, Matchbox Twenty, No Doubt, Selena Gomez, among others. She loved to sing; even if she didn’t know the words, she would sing her heart out to every song.

Sherry cussed like a sailor. She always stood strong in her opinions. Sherry absolutely LOVED sharks. She told classic stories and was hilarious without trying to be. She was a loyal friend and would do anything for “her people.” Sherry loved shopping and anything Disney. She embraced her Persian culture. She constantly saw wonder in the world. She wanted everyone to chase dreams and live their biggest, boldest life.

Sherry’s happy place was the beach. She loved to make jet noises in the sand at one of her favorite beaches, Coronado, near San Diego. Sherry’s remains will be scattered on beaches throughout the world.

Sherry was preceded in death by her mother, Mahin Williams. She is survived by her former spouse, James of Pasadena, Calif.; children, Jamie, most recently of Singapore, and Joseph of Colorado Springs, Colo.; her father, Thomas of Chula Vista, Calif.; two brothers, Thomas of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., and Tony (Traci) of Monterey, Calif.; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Sherry was a party and wanted a party, so her family will be hosting a celebration of Sherry’s life at a time and place to be determined, most likely in May or June. Memorial contributions in Sherry’s name can be made to Shark Allies at sharkallies.com

It’s devastating to lose such a young, bright light. To honor her memory, let’s try to live in the moment like Sherry Drew did every single day of her life.