Sharon Lee Gerry

Sharon (Kenaston) Gerry-82 passed away peacefully at 10:29am on March 12, 2022 with her loving family beside her at the Hospice Care Center in Longview, WA.

She was born on April 4, 1939 in Longview, WA to Richard (Dick), and Sadie (Pesio) Kenaston. She was the oldest of three children.

She is survived by her children: daughter Sandy Bishop of Longview; Stan Gerry of Post Falls, ID, and Shelly Gerry (Shayne) of Chehalis, WA. Grandchildren: Corey (Kendra) Bishop, Jordynn Gerry, and Kenny Jack Gerry, and three great grandchildren: Lyla Bishop, Jacob Laur, and Chase Dillehay. A sister Carolyn Tibbs (Harold) of Castle Rock. Sisters-in-law Marsha Gerry, Cheryl Smith (Tom), Val Gerry and Janice Knopp (Bert) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Two special friends Zina Sundet and Renee Martin.

Sharon was a social butterfly her whole life. She loved (all) people. She grew up in Kelso and graduated from Kelso High School in 1957. She loved school and learning. She was very active in school and many clubs. In her senior year she was crowned the Homecoming Queen. She graduated with a teaching degree from Western Washington State College in 1961. She came back home to Kelso and taught kindergarten at Wallace School for a couple of years.

She married the love of her life, Jack Gerry on December 29, 1961. Soon after, in 1963, her daughter Sandy was born, Sharon become a stay-at-home mom. In 1965, son Stan was born, and daughter Shelly was born in 1972. They eventually moved to Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho were Jack and Sharon owned and operated their own electrical company Bi-Rite Electric & Plumbing for 25 years. She moved back to the Longview area a few years after her husband passed away so she could be closer to family.
The greatest joy of Sharon’s life were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She loved gardening, movies, and music. Her biggest idol was Barbara Streisand. She also was a big sports fan. She enjoyed watching her daughter, Shelly play softball. When the grandchildren came along, she hardly ever missed one of their sports games. It didn’t matter what sport; Sharon was always on the sideline. She was an avid fan of the Gonzaga Bulldogs, calling them her “Boys.” She hardly ever missed watching the Bulldogs, Seahawks or Oregon Ducks on TV. Often screaming at the TV rooting her teams on.

Over the last 15 years she lived with her daughter, Sandy. They had many fun times and neither of them would have traded those years for anything.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, June 3rd, 2022 at 4:00pm at the Kelso United Methodist Presbyterian Church, 206 Cowlitz Way, Kelso, WA. A refreshment and dessert reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Home Health & Hospice, 1035 11th Avenue, Longview, WA.

A special thanks to all of the nurses and aids at the Community Home Health & Hospice, and her Home Care Aide Kim.