In the early hours of Friday, April 26, 2024, Sherry Anne Mitchell (nee Gardner) quietly slipped away. Sherry was born in Bourlamaque, Quebec, the eldest daughter of the late Jack Myles and Tyyne Viola Nissila Gardner. She was also predeceased by her brother Myles. She leaves behind her devoted partner of 35 years, Tosh Sakamoto, as well as her sister Ruth (Stuart), brother James (Yolanda), and sister Jackie.

Full of adventure and mischief, at the age of 16, Sherry became the youngest female in Canada to get her solo pilot’s license. She grew up in Rouyn-Noranda until her father moved his business JMG Industries Ltd., and his family to Thornbury. Sherry attended Loretto Abbey in Toronto followed by a year of study at the Sorbonne, in Paris. Upon her return, she trained as a legal secretary in Boston.

Sherry easily found work in this field in Toronto. However, with an itch to travel, Sherry began an exciting career as a promotional agent, first for the Hilton Hotels and later, for Hyatt Hotels. Sherry promoted the Hotels’ properties around the world to International travel agents. In this capacity, Sherry was able to visit many different countries and making it a point to learn all the naughty words in their language. Even after many years of retirement, Sherry managed to surprise many people of different nationalities by speaking to them with colourful words in their language.

Sherry worked at Fasken as their main receptionist where she greeted everyone with a cheery smile. She was greatly appreciated for her excellent memory, her charm and her quick sense of humour. Her last job was at José Jewellers where her love of gems and her impeccable style and taste were much appreciated.

Sherry loved to travel, as did her mother. After her mother passed away, Sherry became the travelling companion of Carmel King, who had been her mother’s travelling companion. They travelled with a group every year for many years, visiting many different countries. Of course, in this way, Sherry was able to “upgrade” her vocabulary.

In 2007 Sherry had a life-saving liver transplant through the generous donation of a live donor. Given 5-7 years to live when first diagnosed with the unknown cause of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), Sherry had beaten all odds. On top of that, Sherry had two corneal transplants in her left eye. In the past 5 years, Sherry had suffered from dementia which gradually became much worse, together with other health issues which caused her great pain and suffering.

Always classy and vibrant, gregarious and the life of the party, especially with her loud but joyous voice and some colourful language, Sherry made immediate friends with everyone she met.

We would like to thank all the doctors and nurses at the Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and lastly, the EW Bickle Centre. Their great care and support of Sherry over the years was so much appreciated, especially near the end. Sherry will be greatly missed by all of those who knew her.

There will be visitation for friends and families on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at Turner & Porter Peel Chapel, 2180 Hurontario Street (Hwy 10, N. of QEW) Mississauga, Ontario, between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Sherry will be cremated and be laid to rest beside her parents, at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Owen Sound, Ontario.

If desired, donations to the University Health Network or the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, in Sherry’s name would be gratefully appreciated.

Online condolences and donations may be made using this website.