Sherrie was born in Wachula, Florida where she enjoyed a childhood of riding horses, playing piano, and exploring orange groves on and near the family homestead outside of Wachula. She had three siblings: an older brother and two younger sisters.
In her early teens Sherrie moved to St Petersburg and attended Northeast High School, graduating in 1972. Expanding her horizons, Sherrie traveled to Alaska where she spent three years as a legal assistant in Anchorage before deciding to further her education. Sherrie returned to St Petersburg, enrolled at St Petersburg Junior College, and graduated with an Associates Degree. As an academic standout, Sherrie was advised to apply to Vanderbilt University to complete her Bachelor’s Degree. She did, was accepted, and two years later graduated from Vanderbilt, College of Arts and Sciences with a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude. Sherrie’s time at Vanderbilt included the ‘Vanderbilt in Spain’ summer program where she expanded her Spanish language fluency.
Sherrie returned to St Petersburg, was employed by Tampa Electric Company, married and set about having a family which resulted in the birth of a daughter (Diana) and a son (Keith). Pursuing her love of language, Sherrie obtained a Masters of Linguistics from St Petersburg College. She applied her linguistics knowledge as an Adjunct Professor teaching English as a second language to St Petersburg College foreign exchange students.
Sherrie later became a financial advisor with Infinity Financial Group helping clients with investments, insurance, tax preparation and retirement planning. Receiving her certification as a Certified Financial Planner, Sherrie was hired by Ernst & Young to provide advisory services to members within the Florida Retirement System (FRS). Sherrie helped thousands of FRS members achieve financial security through her many hours of personalized phone assistance, including risk tolerance analysis, investment options, retirement goals, and by conducting FRS retirement workshops all across Florida.
In August 2022, Sherrie was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer. She underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. After an almost four year fight, Sherrie passed away on April 11, 2026, while surrounded by family and her partner Barry. Sherrie was 71 years old.
Sherrie’s "Life Story" was written by Sherrie’s partner of 11 years, Barry, who came with her to the 50th Reunion, as there was no obituary. Barry also provided the photos I have posted.
I've known and kept in touch with Sherrie for many years. We'd meet for lunch every so often and catch up with what was happening in each other's lives. When Sherrie was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022, she was in disbelief and commented that she had never smoked. Over the next 3.5+ years we continued meeting for lunch, although I could see her decline. Sherrie prized her beautiful hair, but chemo and cancer took that away from her.
I will miss my friend and our lunches. Thank you, Sherrie, for the memories.
Wayne Wells
SHERRIE ANN RUTLAND
August 1, 1954 – April 11, 2026
Sherrie was born in Wachula, Florida where she enjoyed a childhood of riding horses, playing piano, and exploring orange groves on and near the family homestead outside of Wachula. She had three siblings: an older brother and two younger sisters.
In her early teens Sherrie moved to St Petersburg and attended Northeast High School, graduating in 1972. Expanding her horizons, Sherrie traveled to Alaska where she spent three years as a legal assistant in Anchorage before deciding to further her education. Sherrie returned to St Petersburg, enrolled at St Petersburg Junior College, and graduated with an Associates Degree. As an academic standout, Sherrie was advised to apply to Vanderbilt University to complete her Bachelor’s Degree. She did, was accepted, and two years later graduated from Vanderbilt, College of Arts and Sciences with a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude. Sherrie’s time at Vanderbilt included the ‘Vanderbilt in Spain’ summer program where she expanded her Spanish language fluency.
Sherrie returned to St Petersburg, was employed by Tampa Electric Company, married and set about having a family which resulted in the birth of a daughter (Diana) and a son (Keith). Pursuing her love of language, Sherrie obtained a Masters of Linguistics from St Petersburg College. She applied her linguistics knowledge as an Adjunct Professor teaching English as a second language to St Petersburg College foreign exchange students.
Sherrie later became a financial advisor with Infinity Financial Group helping clients with investments, insurance, tax preparation and retirement planning. Receiving her certification as a Certified Financial Planner, Sherrie was hired by Ernst & Young to provide advisory services to members within the Florida Retirement System (FRS). Sherrie helped thousands of FRS members achieve financial security through her many hours of personalized phone assistance, including risk tolerance analysis, investment options, retirement goals, and by conducting FRS retirement workshops all across Florida.
In August 2022, Sherrie was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer. She underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. After an almost four year fight, Sherrie passed away on April 11, 2026, while surrounded by family and her partner Barry. Sherrie was 71 years old.
Wayne Wells
September 2021 - Multnomah Falls, OR
Wayne Wells
September 2021 - Cannon Beach, OR
Wayne Wells
September 2021 - Spruce Goose cockpit, McMinnville, OR
Wayne Wells
May 2022 - Three Daughters Brewing (50th Reunion)
Wayne Wells
June 2022 - Wright Brothers Memorial, NC
Wayne Wells
Sherrie’s "Life Story" was written by Sherrie’s partner of 11 years, Barry, who came with her to the 50th Reunion, as there was no obituary. Barry also provided the photos I have posted.
I've known and kept in touch with Sherrie for many years. We'd meet for lunch every so often and catch up with what was happening in each other's lives. When Sherrie was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022, she was in disbelief and commented that she had never smoked. Over the next 3.5+ years we continued meeting for lunch, although I could see her decline. Sherrie prized her beautiful hair, but chemo and cancer took that away from her.
I will miss my friend and our lunches. Thank you, Sherrie, for the memories.