Sherry Ann Gillies

Sherry Ann (Pierce) Gillies, age 47, passed away peacefully at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse on Saturday, October 18th, 2014, after a courageous eighteen-year battle with breast cancer. Sherry was born in La Crosse, WI on December 28th, 1966 to James and Janet (McAloon) Pierce. She graduated from Logan High School in 1985. She continued her education and graduated with honors in 1989 from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a Bachelor’s of Science in English and a minor in Secondary Education. Sherry married John Gillies on May 11th, 1991 at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral in Lacrosse. In that same year she began a distinguished teaching career at Aquinas High School. Sherry furthered her commitment to education by earning a Master’s of Science degree in Educational Media in August of 1993. After earning her Masters, she continued teaching at Aquinas through 1998.
In the fall of 1998, Sherry brought her energy and contagious zeal for learning to Lincoln Middle School in La Crosse, where she worked until 2012. While at Lincoln, she formed many meaningful relationships with both students and colleagues that lasted long after her disease made it too difficult for her to continue teaching. Sherry's passion for education and pursuit of excellence inspired countless students and fellow educators. Sherry’s guidance and talent for editing helped lead many students to state competitions for National History Day, with some students even advancing further onto National competitions. With even the most reluctant student, Sherry would search the library high and low to find the perfect book, hoping to ignite the same passion for reading she always carried. Sherry's focus on doing her best for every student will leave an indelible mark on hundreds of young people.

Sherry's love for her family was consistent throughout her life. A devoted wife, mother, aunt, and friend, she enriched the lives of all she met. Even on her most difficult days, her humor and positive attitude never wavered. Sherry was an excellent cook and baker and was never hesitant to mow the lawn or shovel snow during the frigid Wisconsin winters. Sherry always had a love for music, especially clarinet and piano, appreciating it throughout her whole life.
Sherry is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 23 years, John, daughters Abby, age 21, senior at Viterbo University in La Crosse and Lea, age 18, freshman at Emmanuel College in Boston, MA. She is further survived by father James Pierce, La Crosse, mother-in-law Julia Schmidt, sister Kathy (Kent) Jeffery of Wabasha, MN, sisters-in-law, Pennie (Mike) Jorgenson, Mary Gianino, Joan (Don Whatley) Gillies, and brothers-in-law Kenneth (Lynn) Gillies, David (Laura) Gillies , Ronald (Laura Jensen) Gillies. She is further survived by cherished nephews and nieces, Hannah and Ben Pierce and Ian and Ava Jeffery, special family friend, Mieko Hayashi, Japan, in addition to several other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Sherry was preceded in death by her mother Janet Pierce, brother David Pierce, uncle Kenneth Pierce, father-in-law Allen Gillies, sister-in-law Janet Kaczorowski, and grandparents Norman and Charlotte Pierce and Russell and Marie McAloon.

Family and friends may call at Schumacher- Kish Funeral and Cremation Services La Crosse chapel; 200 West Ave. South on Wednesday, October 22nd from 4pm to 7pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at 10:30 AM at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Holmen WI. Rev. John Parr will officiate. Visitation will also be held at the church on Thursday from 9:30am until the time of Mass. A private family burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be used in Sherry’s memory. Online guestbook is available at www.schumacher-kish.com.