Obituary: Vahlstrom, Sharon Lee (Ralston)
Sherry was born to Ron Ralston and Nancy Jean Sheetz in Las Vegas, NV.
She lived in several towns growing up and graduated from Redondo High School in Southern California.
Creative and entrepreneurial from youth, she sewed swimsuits and sold them to beachgoers.
Later she moved to Fresno, CA, studying business administration at Fresno State.
She and husband Tom Vahlstrom made their home in Fresno and later Clovis, CA, where they raised their two children, Matthew and Hannah.
Always a tenacious advocate, Sherry worked part time in her children’s schools and spent much of her time in the hospital with Matt during his cancer treatments.
After Matt’s relapse the family moved to Spokane.
After Matt’s death in 1996, Sherry split her time caring for her ailing mother, helping Hannah finish high school and get her into her college of choice (Whitworth) and managing the family’s small business.
But her heart was also still with the families at the hospital.
Since folks already thought she worked at Providence Sacred Heart, Sherry decided she would get on the payroll!
Sherry traveled to Nashville several times to visit her daughter and son-in-law, Ben; she became a lifelong advocate and “cheerleader” for him as well.
She was delighted at the family’s return to Washington with her beloved grandson, and was overjoyed when her prayers for a second grandchild were answered.
After her divorce in 2010 she transitioned from her job as Patient Advocate at Sacred Heart Medical Center’s oncology center to sales associate in the hospital gift shop.
She loved both jobs as they gave her a chance to be near patients and families.
Sherry’s refrain, “Someday Heaven” is now her reality.
She loved Jesus all her life, and though her life was full of sorrow, she claimed to the end, “Love is the answer.”
She had an infectious laugh could talk to anyone.
Sherry is sorely missed by her family, and by many beloved friends and “sisters.”
She is survived by her daughter, Hannah (Ben) McDonald, and grandchildren Sam and Nina.
She is preceded in death by her son Matthew and is buried near him at Peone Prairie Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held at Whitworth Community Presbyterian Church on 18 January 2015 at 3:00 p.m. A reception will follow.
Wear purple (red, gold, shiny/sparkly)!
To honor Sherry’s legacy, memoriam gifts can be made to Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, the Rypien Foundation, or Anna Ogden Hall.