Sheri Lynn Curtis' Obituary
Sheryl “Sheri” Lynn Curtis, 65, passed away on Sunday, August 11th, 2024, surrounded by her loving family, after a difficult fight against breast cancer that took her too quickly.
Sheri was born on July 13th, 1959, in Tacoma, Washington, the eldest of four children. As a daughter of a military service member, she lived in various locations across the U.S., including Colorado, Alabama, Ohio, and Kansas, but Florida was always her home base. Each summer, she cherished time spent with her family and paternal grandparents, fishing and enjoying the waters of the Florida Keys. A bright and dedicated student, Sheri graduated at the top of her class from Lake Worth High school. It was there where her favorite biology teacher, Mrs. Cross, inspired her to pursue a career in nursing. Her involvement with the Mariner scout troop, guided by the influential Mr. and Mrs. V, marked some of the most formative years of her youth. Together, they traveled the East Coast, rafting, canoeing, camping, sailing, and water skiing—experiences that ignited her passion for adventure and travel. This continued throughout her life as she embarked on many trips and formed countless memories with her husband Curt, and her sister and brother-in-law Richard and Tammy Isaac.
Sheri went on to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL where she acquired her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 1981. During her college years, Sheri’s adventurous spirit led her to windsurf, skydive, bareboat sail to the Bahamas, and explore Europe with her close-knit group of friends. She also worked as a travel nurse across the western U.S., embracing every opportunity to embark on new adventures. After two decades of working as a dedicated pediatric nurse, Sheri returned to the University of Florida to obtain her Master of Science in Nursing. This achievement allowed her to fulfill her dream of becoming a professor at the College of Nursing, where she nurtured and guided young nursing students. She later returned to Shands Hospital, where she spent the remainder of her career as a clinical leader. Sheri’s compassion, understanding, and unwavering dedication to her patients and students made her a beloved figure in the UF medical community. Outside of her full-time work, Sheri generously volunteered at the Newberry Clinic for underprivileged families and Camp Boggy Creek, a camp for children with serious illnesses.
At the University of Florida, she also met her husband and the love of her life, Thomas “Curt” Curtis. They were first introduced by a friend at a local Gainesville establishment where they talked all night. It was love at first sight and they never left each other’s side. They were married on November 23rd, 1986 in Orlando, FL. The two spent 38 happy years together and recently celebrated their anniversary touring Tuscany, Milan, Rome and Cinque Terra. Sheri and Curt were blessed with two daughters. Amber and Megan. Although she loved her job as a nurse, her greatest joy in life was being a mother and later, a grandmother. She was a warm, loving, and dedicated mother to her daughters. She was an avid reader and read to her girls every night until they were far too old. Her daughters inherited her intelligence and work ethic with careers in both law and veterinary medicine. She imparted her wonderment for life and wished to prepare her daughters for the joys and struggles that life brings.
Sheri lived life with boundless energy. In her free time, she could often be found running, playing tennis, taking long walks, or cooking for her loved ones. Her cheerful disposition, infectious positivity, quick wit, playful spirit, and gumption left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She was a selfless, empathetic person with a kind soul. Like her favorite flower, the sunflower, Sheri brought light and warmth to those around her.
Sheri is deeply missed by her husband, Thomas Curtis of Gainesville, Florida; her daughters, Amber Widrick (Eli Widrick) of Delray Beach, Florida and Megan Curtis (Colin Cramer) of Fort Collins, Colorado, her beloved grandchildren Connor and Emerson Widrick; her mother Bonnie Robinson; sister, Tammy Isaac (Richard Issac); brothers Doug and Keith Robinson, nieces, as well as a number of cousins and in-laws.
A celebration of Sheri’s life will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2024, beginning at 6:00 PM in the chapel of Williams-Thomas Funeral Home West area 823 NW. 143rd St. Newberry. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service beginning at 5 PM.
Please donate to the Sheri Curtis gofundme for help medical expenses: https://gofund.me/5c42cedd
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