She was preceded in death by her parents, Maxine and Leo Smith; her sister, Mary Lou Kingsbury; and her brother, James Leo Smith.

Two words that summarize Sherry’s approach to life are “determination” and “persistence.” When she really wanted something, you could be assured that somehow, some time, she would obtain it.

In the early years of their marriage, Sherry and Mike moved frequently for his Air Force service, studies at Michigan State University and professional career before settling in Marshalltown, Iowa, where they raised their two children. They enjoyed many wonderful years in Marshalltown, creating lasting family memories and friendships at Elmwood Country Club, where swimming, tennis, golf and shared meals became some of their most cherished times together. In 1989, they relocated to Iowa City, where Sherry completed her career and found a community she deeply appreciated. She enjoyed all that Iowa City had to offer–arts festivals, theater, restaurants and involvement in community nonprofit organizations.

Sherry earned her nursing diploma from Saginaw General Hospital in 1964 and worked as a staff nurse in several hospitals. During her years in Marshalltown, she founded Continuing Education Services, providing consultation and continuing education programs to nursing facilities throughout Iowa. While working at the University of Iowa, she earned her BSN from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1993 by attending night school. At a time when many begin thinking about retirement, she chose instead to begin a new chapter, earning her MSN from the University of Iowa in 1998 and becoming an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner specializing in geriatrics. She accomplished this while welcoming her first grandchildren, embodying her belief that learning and service continue throughout life.

She later joined the University of Iowa College of Nursing as an assistant professor, where she taught geriatrics to advanced practice students and coordinated the Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Program. Her career spanned acute care, long-term care, home health, education, research and leadership. She was known as a compassionate clinician, educator and mentor who believed in treating every person with dignity and seeing the whole person, even when illness or dementia made it difficult for them to be heard.

During her years as a nurse practitioner, she was joined by her beloved therapy dog, Luke, a goldendoodle who accompanied her on nursing home and in-home hospice

visits. She continued to advance the nurse practitioner profession through service as president of the Iowa Nurse Practitioner Society and was later honored as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She was also a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Beyond her professional life, Sherry poured the same determination and care into her family. She balanced a demanding career with being a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, bringing everyone together for holidays, special occasions and the family's annual Fourth of July lake vacation. She felt especially fortunate that all six of her grandchildren lived nearby, allowing her to be present for many of the school, sports, music and family events that marked their lives. She had a gift for creating beautiful, memorable experiences around family gatherings and making each person feel included and loved.

In keeping with her lifelong dedication to improving the lives of people with dementia and their caregivers, Sherry chose to donate her brain to the Iowa Neuropathology Resource Laboratory at the University of Iowa to help advance research and understanding of dementia.

Visitation will be held Thursday, June 18, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Lensing Funeral Home in Iowa City, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. and a luncheon in the Kirkwood Room. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to two organizations meaningful to Sherry and her family. Gifts in support of the Nursing Student Financial Aid Fund at the University of Iowa College of Nursing provide scholarships for nursing students and may be sent to the University of Iowa Center for Advancement, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244-4550, with “Gift in memory of Sherry McKay” noted on the memo line or in an accompanying note. Memorials may also be directed to Iowa City Hospice in Sherry’s name, in gratitude for the compassionate care they provided.

Online condolences at www.lensingfuneral.com