Mary Bishop Sherman, wife of Jeffrey Sherman and daughter of Sylvia Bishop and the late Newell Bishop, died on Sunday, April 25, 2010 after a 16-month struggle with breast cancer.
She is survived by her husband, her mother, her brother Ned Bishop, her step-children Jocelyn and Jeffrey Sherman, her grandson Layne Moss, and many other members of her extended family.
Mary and Jeff were married on June 9, 2008 at her family’s summer home on Cape Cod. They worked happily together to renovate their North Stonington farmhouse and raise their many animals, while opening their home to a wide circle of friends and relishing the company of their dog, George.
Mary graduated from Wheeler High School in North Stonington and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hartwick College in 1986. She ran varsity cross country and pursued her life-long passion for horses while at both institutions. After graduating from Hartwick, Mary began her career as a horseback riding instructor and trainer of American Quarter Horses. She taught countless young riders and many of them followed her into the show ring. Several of Mary’s horses garnered regional and national attention, and three were recognized with national championships.
Mary was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, the Connecticut Quarter Horse Association, and the Professional Horsemen’s Association of the AQHA. She served as an officer for both the CQHA and the PHA for a number of years.
Mary was a member of the North Stonington Congregational Church, where she sang in the choir and served on the Music Committee. She also served on the Mystic Area Ecumenical Council. In addition to her career as a riding instructor, Mary worked for many years at Nutmeg Crossing in Pawcatuck and The Bean Counter in Westerly.
A memorial service will be held at the North Stonington Congregational Church at 2:00 pm on Sunday, May 2, 2010.
Memorial gifts in her name may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Professional Horsemen’s Association.
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