Sherry M. Samanka, of Medford, passed away Wednesday, January 23rd, at home surrounded by her loving family. She was 54. Born in Danvers, she was the cherished daughter of Suzanne (O'Brien) and James Durkin.
Sherry attended grammar school in Erie, Pennsylvania, and graduated high school at Lynn High. Once Sherry graduated she became a resident of the Boston Center for Independent Living.
Sherry was born with cerebral palsy and dealt with many challenges on a daily basis. She didn't know the meaning of the words "I can't" and spent all of her days working hard to show how capable she was.
After spending two years at the Boston Center for Independent Living she was able to get her own apartment in Medford, and with the help of her support staff her apartment became her crowning achievement for the next 29 years. Sherry loved her home and took great pride in it.
Sherry loved people and always asked everyone how your weekend was and was genuinely interested in the answer. She made everyone smile, even grouchy people because she really cared about them, and about how their day was going. It seemed like the whole world showed their kindness to Sherry, we are so appreciative of that. She was always sending birthday cards if she knew your birthday you were going to get a card.
If you did anything at all for her, Sherry would send you a thank you note. Sometimes we would say, Sherry that doesn't call for a thank you note but to her nearly every act kindness equaled a thank you note!
We learned that this world is full of good people who are ready to help to do anything to help. The love and support we have seen during the past year with her illness has meant so much. Her goodness brought out that goodness in people, showing us that there are a lot of amazing people in this world. We are so grateful for the great life that Sherry had and the wonderful people in it.
Sherry was a dog lover, so Marilyn her pca of 16 years let her be in charge of Annie the Pekinise, which was perfect she had all the fun of dog ownership and none of the responsibility! She didn't miss much in this life. She took on a fund raising campaign for Camp Allen and on her own raised 1,200 dollars.
One time Sherry even picketed a bank in Jamaica Plain to improve their wheelchair access, they made the necessary improvements, and Sherry sent them a thank you gift and candy! She was game for anything, and had courage facing cancer and all the stuff that goes with it. Sherry always found the strength to deal with whatever came her way. We will miss our brave girl.
She was the loving sister of Michael Samanka and his wife Andi, of Erie, PA. She was the caring aunt of Andrew Samanka of Lynn. Sherry is also survived by her father Joseph Samanka of Sugar Grove, PA., and many loving family members and friends.
A funeral service will be celebrated in the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford, on Wednesday, January 30th at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Tuesday from 3 to 7 PM. Services will conclude with burial at St. Mary Cemetery, Salem.
In lieu of flowers Sherry's family requests that you pass on an act of kindness.