SHERRY TIERNEY

Sherry L. (Engelman) Tierney, 72, of Appleton, passed away peacefully with her family and friends by her side on the afternoon of Thursday, September 7, 2023. She was born December 13, 1950 to the late Edward and Joyce (Grant) Engelman. Sherry attended Menasha High School, class of 1969. On December 6, 1969 she married her high school sweetheart, Michael Tierney. Sherry received her CNA certification from Fox Valley Technical Institute. She was an adoring wife and loving mother. She always put her family first and cared for them deeply. Sherry brought joy to all who knew her.

Sherry proudly worked 21 years at St. Elizabeth Hospital as a CNA and unit clerk in the OB unit, as well as many other units throughout the hospital. She loved her work and later in life, during her stays at  the various assisted living and nursing homes, she would give helpful and thoughtful advice to new CNAs. Sherry was someone who was always there for anyone in need, taking in family and friends and was a best friend to many. She was often called “mom” as she gave a listening ear, great advice (sometimes what they needed to hear; not always what they wanted to hear) and a shoulder to lean on.

Sherry loved every aspect of family life whether it be cooking, dining out, camping and traveling, a bike ride, sun bathing or watching a beautiful sunset. Also, watching nightly movies and TV shows with her devoted husband and family. Prior to her illness, Sherry organized great family holiday parties, cookouts and card parties, where the nieces and nephews had a blast! She kept the family connected. Adding her quick wit and humor made these gatherings so memorable! She, also, especially enjoyed her nightly phone visits with her sister, Rozi.

Sherry had a beautiful singing voice. She was a past member of the Music Ministry at Christ The Rock Church. Sherry passed this talent down to her daughter and granddaughter. Sherry and her daughter, Michelle, sang many duets at church services, weddings and other occasions. With pride Sherry watched her granddaughter, Kaitlynn, perform in many high school plays and musicals. She adored her daughter and granddaughter & every moment they were able to spend together.

Sherry loved God's beautiful creations of flowers and animals; getting squirrels to eat out of her hand, bird watching (hummingbirds-think of her when you see one), watering the gardens while a resident at Brewster Village and especially being “mom” to her many loving pets.

With the help of God and her dedicated doctors, Sherry lived for 10 years after being told she only had 90 days left on this Earth. She gained much more time to be with her family, especially, getting to watch her Granddaughter grow and proudly graduate high school and college. She fought illness after illness and earned the name “cat lady with 9 lives,” with her will to live but rarely could anyone tell she was so sick. Sherry took pride in her appearance and never left home without looking just right. She was very “matchy-matchy,” had perfect makeup and not a hair out of place. She also loved wearing her sparkling jewelry to finish off any look. Over the last two years, the loving staff at Brewster Village took extra care, making sure she always looked her best and was well cared for.

All these things were of her earthly life, but first and foremost was Sherry's love of God. Sherry was a true follower of Christ, witnessing, studying the Bible faithfully, staying strong, knowing that her faith would take her to live eternally with Him.

Sherry will be sadly missed by her loving family: Mike, her husband of 53 years; daughter, Michelle (Tony) Habeck; granddaughter, Kaitlynn (boyfriend Beau Yineman). She is further survived by her siblings: Rozane (Bill) Hansen; Helen Gordy; Edward (Christine) Engelman; brothers-in-law: Joseph (Debra) Tierney; Edward Tierney; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, close friends, and her treasured pets: Harley and Crystal.

In addition to her parents Sherry was preceded in death by her father and mother -in-law Harley and Audrey (Raddatz) Tierney; siblings: Candyce Engelman; Gerald “Jerry” Engelman; Tena Marie Engelman. Brother-in-law: Donald Gordy.

A funeral service for Sherry will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at Menasha's Westgor Funeral Home, 1140 Appleton Rd. Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. until the hour of service. Sherry will be laid to rest at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Thursday, September 14th at 9am. For those unable to attend, the service will be able to be viewed on the funeral home's Facebook page (link:https://www.facebook.com/WestgorFuneralHomes/). Casual attire is welcome. 

The Tierney and Engelman family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the nurses and staff at Brewster Village, Care Partners Assisted Living, Prairie Homes, as well as to Mosaic Health Physicans, Ascension Dr. Zeimet, who, with God's help, saved her from sepsis 13 times! Thank you also to Dr. Cherian, Dr. Jacobe and staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital; especially Dr. Marada and the ICU staff for their excellent care and compassion through her last days.