Help Sherri Rebuild After Years of Love and Sacrifice

The Heart of This Story

I'm Lisa Lovett, and I'm writing about someone who embodies everything beautiful about unconditional love. Six years ago, I met Lady Gloria Free and her daughter Sherri at our Center for Spiritual Living in Asheville, NC. Lady Gloria was a dynamo in our community. She was a teacher, beloved figure and founder of Asheville’s Goombay festival which is now in its 43rd year. She was a “magical, mystical, and miraculous” beacon of light to everyone who met her. Gloria called every woman "Wonder Woman" and every man "Wonder Man"—but she was the true superhero, radiating light and finding magic in everything around her.

When Gloria passed from pancreatic cancer on February 24th, the devastating reality of Sherri's sacrifice became clear. For 18 years, Sherri put her life on hold—first fostering children, then caring for her father, and finally devoting eight years to her mother's dementia and cancer journey. She gave up her career, her income, and her future to ensure her parents never faced their struggles alone.

Sherri's Impossible Burden

The morning Gloria peacefully slipped away, Sherri faced not just profound grief, but a financial crisis that threatens to destroy everything she worked to preserve:

• $9,000 for critical septic system failure that cannot wait

• $3,500 in celebration of life expenses honoring Gloria's beautiful legacy

• $2,100 in medical equipment and care not covered by insurance

• $1,400 in accumulating property taxes

• $42,000 in debt accumulated while providing unpaid caregiving

Total amount of expenses and debt is $58,000.

After nearly two decades away from her profession, Sherri cannot simply return to work at a salary that would tackle this mountain of debt with today's crushing interest rates.

Why This Matters

Lady Gloria was a beacon who lifted everyone around her. Even in her final days, she spoke only of love and light. She built a community of people who felt her warmth and generosity. Gloria never would have wanted her daughter—who sacrificed everything out of love—to face financial ruin as the price of that devotion.

Sherri honored her parents with 18 years of selfless care. She deserves to rebuild her life with dignity, not drowning in debt incurred through acts of pure love.

How You Can Help

Your contribution will directly address the debts listed above. Every dollar will be used with the same thoughtfulness Sherri showed her mother. She'll provide updates on each expense paid and repair completed.

Together, We Honor Gloria's Legacy

This isn't just about money—it's about community. It's about showing Sherri the same love and support that Gloria gave to everyone she met. Whether you knew Gloria personally or are simply moved by this story of sacrifice and love, you can be part of something beautiful.

Lady Gloria found magic everywhere and called everyone she met a superhero. Now it's our turn to be heroes for the person she loved most.

No amount is too small. Every share matters. Every contribution brings Sherri closer to the fresh start her mother would have wanted for her. Let's wrap our arms around someone who gave everything for love, and show her she doesn't have to face this mountain alone.

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"In the quiet evenings, I still expect to hear her voice before remembering she's gone... After years of giving everything I had to honor the life of my parents, I'm turning to you in my moment of greatest vulnerability." — Sherri

Please donate what feels right from your heart, and share this story with others who might want to help.

Thank you for being part of Sherri's new beginning.