In the journey of life, you can never predict the impact chance meetings will have. I was fortunate enough to know Sherry through her work at Wawa - but the loss of my mother put her into my life in a far more meaningful way. She and her grandson needed a place and I opened my home to them and it resulted in 17 years of stable living and the ability to feel like while I had lost my mother physically, I was honoring her memory by making life better using what she had left behind.

Sherry was more than just my housemate—she was like a second mother to me and her family became like my family in every way. Her sudden passing has left a deep void in our lives, especially for her daughter Melanie and her grandson Darian. She was the matriarch of their family, and provided support and love to those who needed her most.

Now, Melanie is facing the unimaginable challenge of saying goodbye to her mother while also caring for her own son. The costs of a funeral, along with the unexpected expenses that come with such a loss, are overwhelming. Melanie and family are doing their best to cope, but they need help from the community to get through this difficult time.

Any support you can offer will go directly toward helping Melanie with funeral expenses and anything else that comes up as they navigate this loss. I am deeply grateful for Sherry's presence in my life and for the kindness and generosity of everyone who has reached out so far. Your help means more than words can say.

2/27/26 update

Her grandson Darian is getting physical therapy now and his stepfather Mike is helping him a ton and getting him looking sharp! Darian adored Sherry and she raised him after his heart was rebuilt and he's been surrounded by love ever since from all sides of his family. Mike's stepped up to the plate in every way to help his mother Melanie out and he's been her rock and has helped Darian a ton.

Now, it's Darian's chance to shine brightly and all the money used will be to give Sherry the best sendoff possible and aid Darian and his family as much as possible. I've been lucky enough to see him grow and mature from a little dude from 7 years onward and I'm excited to see what the future holds for him because he's got all of Sherry's life lessons until this point alongside the wisdom of everyone in his corner rooting for him and making sure he winds up all right.

3/2/26 update -

Darian's physical therapy is going as well as can be expected and the pain of loss is aided by the generosity of so many. It touches the heart to see people come together from those that knew Sherry, to those who know the family and to just aid one another as much as possible during a trying time. It provides hope during a dark day and that can't be taken away.

Darian got a haircut and is looking sharp. I couldn't be more proud of him