Sherrill Susan Laurenzo, 80, passed away peacefully in Naples, Florida, Feb. 25, 2021.
Sherry was born Sept. 10, 1940, in Carroll, Iowa.
She grew up in Perry, Iowa, where she met her husband and lifelong partner, Vincent Laurenzo. They married Sept. 10, 1960, and spent an amazing 60 years together.
They lived many places during and after Vince’s career, including Dearborn, Michigan; Des Moines, Iowa; Toronto, Canada; Buffalo, New York; Aurora, Illinois, and their beloved Naples, Florida.
Vince and Sherry were very family oriented and raised five wonderful children, with nine loving grandsons and one great-grandson.
Sherry was passionate and curious about many things, most especially her family, cooking and politics. She was the glue that kept the family together with her endless love, loyalty and compassion. Sherry also loved to play bridge, bird watch and was an avid learner.
She and Vince bought a home in Aurora, Illinois, so they could spend summers with their kids and grandchildren. They were voracious travelers, visiting exciting places all over the world. Two notable trips were an excursion on the Orient Express with Vince and a trip to Africa with members of her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Maxine Mullen; brother, Ed Mullen; sisters, Maryann Mullen and Charlemagne Cirksena; son-in law, Bruce Perry; and grandson, Danny Laurenzo.
Sherry was briefly survived by her husband, Vincent, who followed Sherry in death March 13, 2021, and she is survived by her children Lisa Perry, David (wife Tia Kladis), Susan, Nancy, and Jim (wife Amy); grandchildren Matthew Laurenzo, Timothy Laurenzo, Michael Laurenzo, Ryan Laurenzo, Steven Laurenzo, Andrew Perry (wife Elba Morales), Scott Perry, Eric Perry; great grandson Hudson Bolstad; and brothers Jim and John Mullen.
Funeral services will be held March 20 1 p.m. at St. Ambrose Cathedral at 607 High St. in Des Moines, with her brother-in-law, the Rev. James Laurenzo, officiating. The family will be available to meet guests one hour prior to the service. COVID-19 distancing and masks are required.
The service will be live streamed for those who cannot attend. Please visit Sherry’s obituary on the Iles Funeral Home website for a link 10 minutes prior to the service. Burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hephzibah Children’s Association, Danny’s Birthday Closet in Oak Park, Illinois.
The family of Sherrill wishes to extend their sincere thanks to caregivers Stephanie, Sophia, Nancy and Lexi for all the assistance, support and love they provided to her during the last few years of her life.
