Sherry Bowen-Coriell Obituary

Sherry Louise (DeRooy) Bowen-Coriell
November 6, 1942 - December 26, 2024
Sherry passed away unexpectedly on December 26, 2024, in Wenatchee, WA. She was surrounded by her big and loving family as she struggled to recover from a very sudden illness. Never one to give up, Sherry showed extraordinary courage until the end.
As the first-born child of eight, Sherry always fought for what she believed in. She was born to Tony and Myrt (Armstrong) DeRooy in Everett, WA on November 6, 1942, the first grandchild of the DeRooy side of the family, immigrants from the Netherlands in 1921. Sherry enjoyed her status as an only child for four years, when her aunties spoiled her, while her dad was away, serving in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps. When he returned home in 1946, Sherry had to share Mom and Dad with newborn Kathy, and, in quick succession, an additional six siblings. As the oldest sister in the family, Sherry took on the role of Mommy's helper with her brothers and sisters her hands might have been little, but she loved taking care of the little ones, honing her babysitting skills at an early age.
Graduating with honors from Monroe High School in 1960, Sherry loved school, boys and her social life as a "Monroe Bearcat." She was active in honor society, choir and drama. In her senior year, she starred in the high school play, "Time out for Ginger", receiving rave reviews from the local critics. After graduation, Sherry moved in with her Armstrong grandparents in Everett, WA while she attended Everett Junior College. It was there that Sherry met Ron Bowen, a handsome Air Force sergeant from California. He also hailed from a family of eight children, and they were married in 1964. Their first child, Michael David Bowen was born in 1966, repeating his mother's enviable accomplishment of being the firstborn grandchild on the DeRooy side of the family. The family grew and prospered when James Anthony and Julie Ann Bowen were born, completing the family over the next few years. Sherry and Ron eventually settled in Wenatchee, where they became active in the Sunnyslope Church of the Brethren. Sherry remembered her years with this church community fondly. She was grateful for the opportunity to stay at home with her children during their younger years. However, she recognized she also had career goals that led her to continue her education at Wenatchee Valley College. As sometimes happens with changes in family dynamics and life's demands, she and Ron eventually split up.
As the children grew older, Sherry started working outside the home in the expanding field of social work. She eventually returned to college at Central Washington University, earning her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. It was there that she also pursued her Master's Degree. Her career encompassed child and adolescent health, adult reproductive health care and supporting senior citizens in transition. During this time, she met and married Gregg Krueger, a school counselor in Moses Lake. The family lived in Grant County for a while, but ended up coming back to Wenatchee, where Sherry's parents and many of her siblings lived. The marriage to Gregg ended during this time. In Sherry's professional work in the Wenatchee Valley, she worked for the North Central Educational Services District, Planned Parenthood, Aging and Adult Care and Children's Home Society. Social justice was very important to Sherry and she gave her heart and soul to causes she believed in.
Sherry married Don Coriell in 1996, completing her family with the addition of Jeremy Donald Coriell and Jennifer Lynne Coriell. Her five children eventually presented her with thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. During their life together, Sherry and Don enjoyed the wonderful church community they found at the Wenatchee First United Methodist Church. For years, they volunteered as greeters, until he passed away in 2013. Sherry continued to share her love and talent for music as a member of the church choir, where she especially loved performing special music at Christmas and Easter celebrations. She participated in other musical groups in Wenatchee, but she especially loved singing in close harmony with her sisters "Sibling Harmony." For years, the sisters would volunteer their talents during the holidays and special occasions at church, in assisted living facilities and memory-care homes. For many years, right up until her passing, Sherry bowled with her Tuesday night bowling league at Eastmont Lanes. She was a long-time member of the American Association of University Women. She also had several dear friends who enriched her days in countless ways.
Sherry's life was abundant, filled with blessings. Her heart was filled to overflowing with love for her family, her community and her faith, from which she took great comfort. She was predeceased by her parents, Tony and Myrt DeRooy; two of her eight siblings, Kathy Lumsden and Tim DeRooy; and her husband, Don Coriell. She is survived by five siblings: Linda DeRooy Holmes-Cook, David DeRooy, Diane de rooij, Vicki DeRooy and Debbie DeRooy Thune; her five children, Michael (Kristine) Bowen, James Bowen, Julie Bowen Straw, Jeremy (Elodie) Coriell and Jennifer (Mike) Coriell-Greaves; thirteen grandchildren, Jason, Justin and Jacob, James, Dalayna, Camille, Naomi, Maya, Ella, Jayme Lyn, Brylee, and Benjamin, Emily; four great-grandchildren, Silas, Carter, Eli, and Kai; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Sherry's Celebration of Life was held on Friday, January 3, 2025 at the First United Methodist Church in Wenatchee, with interment at Wenatchee City Cemetery. The family is grateful to Jones & Jones-Betts Funeral and Pastor Debbie Sperry for their help with the service and other final arrangements.