Obituary for Sherry Fagerness

Sherry Fagerness passed away peacefully at home on Christmas Eve in the arms of her beloved husband and son.  

Sherry was born in San Diego, California and traveled and lived around the world before settling in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho about 25 years ago.  Her deep spirituality was reflected in each of her relationships. She had a wonderful marriage for 19 years and above all cherished her husband Doug, her son Jes and her extended family and friends. 

Her spiritual life could also been seen in her choice of vocations.  She began her career as an educator and for a period of time was a member of the Episcopal Order of Saint Helena in Vail’s Gate, New York. Most of her life’s work helped children and adults who were deaf or hard of hearing fulfill their intrinsic potential. She worked for the Idaho State School for the Deaf for many years, having a positive impact on hundreds of students and their families.

From her earliest days Sherry possessed an incredible vivacity that imbued her physical, intellectual, and spiritual endeavors. Her garden was glorious, her fresh baked goods sumptuous, her weavings, paintings, and crafts a delight to behold.  Sherry could often be found heading off into the vast wilderness of Idaho with field guide and notebook for adventure, reflection and discovery. Her thirst for knowledge was an unending and unquenchable life’s pursuit. Sherry knew something about almost everything and had the delightful ability to share that knowledge in a gentle and enlightening way. 

Sherry’s family consists of her husband Doug Fagerness, son Jes Fagerness, her mother Edith Walcott and father, Clarence deceased, sister Marie Juncker, her husband Arthur and son Andrew, brother Richard Walcott, sister in-law Cheryll Blair, her husband David Blair and their children Ellen, John, Kathryn, Jay, sister-in-law Marla Morrow, her husband Steve Morrow, cousin Andrea Dixon, her husband Ron Dixon and daughter Aura, cousin Bill McKay, his wife Cathy McKay and children Bill McKay and Kailin, cousin Howard McKay, his wife Sammy McKay and children Kim and Melanie and cousin David, his wife Vicki deceased and daughter Lisa.   

Sherry was a bright, witty and a calming presence to all who knew her. It was her greatest delight to break bread with friends and family and share the bounty of her life with them. We ask all that knew her to honor her memory by sharing a meal, a story, a hug, a warm smile with those you love and hold dear on this amazing journey.

There will be a vigil at St. John the Baptist Antiochian Orthodox Church, 4718 Horsehaven Avenue, in Post Falls beginning at 7:00pm on Tuesday, December 29th, the fifth day of Christmas. Sherry's body will be lying within the nave of the Church temple.  After the Panikida (memorial) is sung Sherry's body will remain for the viewing.  Psalms will be read throughout the nightlong vigil. 

The funeral service will begin at 9:30am on Wednesday, December 30th, and will be followed by a burial service at the Church cemetery.  After participants have had the opportunity to throw a handful of dirt on the lowered casket there will be a Memorial Luncheon to which all who have attended the funeral are invited. 

If you are inclined, instead of flowers whose blooms are beautiful, but short lived, please support the Children's Library in either Post Falls (821 N. Spokane Street, Post Falls, ID  83854-8698), or Coeur d'Alene (702 E. Front Avenue, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814).  There the wonders of learning will bloom in children's minds to delight them for a lifetime.  Donations made in Sherry's name will support this work, and are congruent with Sherry's profession and passion.