Obituary of Olivia Katherine Sherry

Olivia Katherine Sherry of Somers, NY passed away at in her home peacefully in her sleep Sunday, May 26, 2024. 

Olivia was born on April 2, 2001, in Bridgeport, Connecticut to her loving parents Lisa & Patrick Sherry.  She grew up in Somers, NY, and graduated from Kennedy Catholic Preparatory High School in 2019.  She then attended Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education, E.L.A. and S.S. Cum Laude in May 2023, and Master of Arts in Teaching, May of 2024. Olivia was looking forward to starting her post-graduate life and begin her dream career as an eighth-grade English teacher at Wren Middle School in Piedmont, SC. 

Olivia was an extraordinarily kind soul that lived her life with genuine passion and conviction, making a lasting impact at every stage throughout her 23 years.  She was a natural leader that dedicated herself to a life of teaching, service and helping others.  She served as Junior Chairperson for the American Heart Association, Somers Special Education Camp Counselor, CCD Teacher, Founder of the Kennedy Catholic Bell Choir, volunteered for the Appalachia Service Project, received the Community Service Achievement Award at Kennedy Catholic and was awarded the Somers Women’s Club Leadership Scholarship.

At Kennedy Catholic she participated in the Drama Club, Student Council and was the manager of the Varsity Football and Lacrosse programs where the players affectionately referred to her as “Mom”. She then attended Clemson University where she was a member AXO sorority and served as a Strategic Mentor for student athletes for the Clemson Athletic Academic Services Program.

Olivia loved reading, in particular historical fiction. She was a member of numerous book clubs and rarely seen without a book in her hand.  She was a passionate sports fan - especially for football as it matched her enthusiastic personality. Clemson University was an ideal fit for her as she truly lived their “All-In” mantra.  She also enjoyed music, the arts, skiing, golf and cherished her family vacations to Ocean City, Avon by the Sea, Vermont, and our New Year’s Eve trips with the “Framily”.

Above all she had a fun and vivacious personality.  She combined her wonderful sense of humor, radiant smile, positive attitude, compassion, and patience to engage even the most reluctant students.  She no doubt would have positively impacted hundreds of students for years to come. 

While Olivia’s extremely large and loving family is forever devastated by a loss of this magnitude, we hope to live our lives with greater purpose, joy and faith to honor her memory.  She is survived by her parents Lisa & Patrick, her brothers Quin and Danny, her grandparents GrandChar and GrandDad Sherry, Nana and Grandpa Murphy (deceased) and her absurdly large, fun and close-knit family. To name a few…. aunts and uncles include Char & Jerry Mulholland; Jeanine Sherry & Rich Kline; Jim & Sally Sherry; Chris & Sue Sherry; Kim & Tom Sherry; Kathy & Peter Smith; Val & Dave Paul; Sean Murphy; Keith Murphy (deceased); Brennan & Katie Smith; Kiley & Graham Kelly.  Cousins – Lil’ Char & Jimmy Mulholland; Rebecca, Julia & Anna Mae Sherry; Jackie, Christine & Tommy Sherry; Connor & Cole Sherry; Jake & Josh Murphy; Charlie, Brady, Tess & RJ Smith; Sadie & Maeve Kelly.  She will also be missed by her dear friends from Clemson University, Kennedy Catholic, Chambers Drive and numerous childhood friends.

Calling Hours will be Monday June 10 from 4pm-8pm at St. Joseph’s Church, 95 Plum Brook Road, Somers, NY. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place Tuesday June 11^th at 10am, also at St. Joseph’s Church.

There will also be an area for book donations during the visitation at St. Joseph's Church.

Interment will follow at Ivandell Cemetery, Somers, NY

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (The Children’s Fund) in memory of Olivia Sherry, Books for Africa or Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.