Mary Ann Sherman

passed away Sunday, June 20, at Martha & Mary Health & Rehab Services in Poulsbo. All her children were at her side during her final days, showering her with the reflections of love she'd so richly bestowed upon them. A Bainbridge Island (Bill Point) resident for over 35 years, she was 88 at the time of her death. She joins her loving husband, LTC (Ret) Robert L. Sherman, who predeceased her in 2006. She is survived by her sisters, Casey Guptil of Minneapolis and Sally (Richard) Martie of Monticello, and by her four children: son and daughter-in-law Robert L. Sherman, Jr. and Leslie Hein (San Jose, CA), daughters Leslie Marie Sherman (San Francisco, CA), and Mary Katherine Sherman (Sonoma, CA), and son and daughter-in-law, Charles B. Sherman and Guylaine Lemieux (Bella Vista, Arkansas). She also leaves several nieces and nephews, along with many dear friends, including Judy Hartstone, her loving and beloved next-door-neighbor for 18 years. Mary Ann was born January 10, 1922, in Monticello, Minnesota to Harry A. and Agnes M. (Conlin) Gahr. She was the oldest of four children (siblings Patty, Casey and Jim). Her mother died when Mary Ann was eight and her father remarried Margaret "Babe" Cassidy, who gave the Gahr clan a new sister, Sally. Mary Ann graduated from high school in 1940 and received her R.N. license in June 1943, following graduation from St. Mary's School of Nursing in Minneapolis. She loved the pediatric unit, but also became one of the few young RN's assigned the most dire cases, ensuring that those moving on would be attended to by a beautiful earth angel. She married Robert (Bob AKA "Papa Bear") on October 30, 1944 in Minneapolis. He was love struck by the beauty and elegance of the young R.N. he met while visiting a girlfriend in the hospital. Mary Ann teased him by calling him her "Prussian Prince" when she saw the dashing Captain in full dress uniform.A consummate homemaker, she was well ahead of the times by managing both a busy household and a return to nursing part-time when her children were older, but family always came first.Mary Ann and Bob moved from Marin County, California, to Bainbridge Island in March 1975, when Bob left San Francisco for a new position with Family Life in Seattle. Mary Ann quickly immersed herself in various volunteer activities, most notably working at the Bargain Boutique in support of the Children's Orthopedic Hospital of Seattle for many years, as well as volunteering with Helpline House, with an emphasis on supporting women and their children fleeing abusive relationships. She made many great and lasting friendships through her volunteer work and also enjoyed the friendship, love, and support of her great neighbors on Bill Point Crest. After Bob's death in 2006, she became weaker and required increasingly more care to enable her to remain in her home with her beautiful trees. Following a stroke in May 2009, her care needs became full-time, but she was able to remain in her home with her trees until mid-April. The family thanks her wonderful team of care-givers of many years (Candi, Gail, Judi, Pei, Rheycel & Sandra), who became her and her daughters' good friends. The family also thanks the incredible staff at Martha & Mary for the outstanding care and support they provided during Mary Ann's last weeks.Mary Ann loved all of her children completely and yet each one individually. We used to refer to this as her "fierce mother wolf love," i.e., nobody better mess with her kids! All four of her kids were at her bedside during her last week. The sight of the four of her children together at her bedside brought forth a strong emotional reaction when speech had left her. She tracked us with her eyes that were filled with mother love. While at Martha and Mary, she was also visited by old friends and all of her dearly loved caregivers. She will be remembered as a truly elegant, beautiful, intelligent, compassionate and witty woman�and a fierce Democrat! Mary Ann fiercely defended people she felt were wrongly persecuted or unfairly treated and even at 88, she would engage her children, friends, relatives and caregivers in conversations/ heated debates re: political and human rights issues. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends, but we will hold her in our hearts forever. At her request, a private family service will be held in California. A celebration of her life will be held in Bainbridge at a future date (TBA- late summer or early fall) for family and friends. Remembrances may be made to the Bargain Boutique (Children's Orthopedic Hospital), Helpline House, or a charity of the giver's choice. Cremation by Cook Family Funeral Home.