Sheri Smith

“Those we have held in our arms for a little while, we hold in our hearts forever.” — Khalil Gibran

Sheryl Ann (Sheri) Smith was born on January 17, 1945 to Betty and Sherman Woodruff in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Sheri was the first of three children, followed by a brother, Harold, then a sister, Linda. The family relocated to Yardley, Pennsylvania and she attended The Pennsbury Schools in Bucks County. Around 1960, the family relocated to Chesterton, Indiana, when her father was transferred to the U.S. Steel facility in Gary, Indiana. 

Sheri graduated Chesterson High School in 1962 with credits for participating in student council, National Thespian Society, Boosters, Y-Teens, GAA, Drama Club, and Yearbook committee, and was awarded membership in the National Honor Society for scholastic achievement.

Following high school, Sheri attended Indiana University in Bloomington, majoring in sociology with a minor in psychology. While in college, Sheri joined the Kappa Delta Sorority. During summer vacations, she worked for U.S. Steel, providing assistance for the clerical and accounting departments. She graduated in 1966, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree.

After college, Sheri worked for Mitchell, Hutchins & Co. in Chicago, as a licensed commodity futures solicitor and assistant to the commodities director.

In 1969, Sheri joined a small group that chartered a bareboat in Miami for a week of sailing in the Bahamas, and served as part-time helmsman before returning to Miami. Fueling her thirst for adventure, Sheri and a couple of friends took off to Europe later that year.

Sheri departed Chicago for Los Angeles in 1971. In her first year there, she accumulated extensive experience in the financial sector, first as administrative assistant at E.F. Hutton, where she established a new regional sales department. She moved on to hold management positions at 1st Wellington Investments, and then with Wilshire Forward Company. While serving as the secretary-treasurer, Sheri was involved in the development of sixteen Sir Speedy instant printing centers.

Sheri became a licensed insurance salesperson in 1976, working for John Hancock Mutual Life while serving as the agency brokerage supervisor. In 1979 she left to fill a position with PIA (Professional Insurance Agents) Association, providing support services for independent insurance agencies. Sheri eventually became vice-president, and then CEO of the southern California division as the organization expanded it’s operations nationally. She remained with PIA until retiring in approximately 2006.

Sheri met Gene Smith, a struggling young lawyer, in about 1978. It was on a camping trip to Canyonlands, Utah in 1979, that Sheri and Gene discovered their mutual love of the outdoors and wilderness adventures. They were married in 1981 in the wheelhouse of the Queen Mary.

The next 45 years were filled with many more camping trips to the Southwest and Western states. While exploring the back country of the Navajo and Hopi Nations, Sheri became interested in the native American folklore of the region. True to her independent nature, Sheri would pack-up her car and go on camping trips all by herself.

After retirement, Sheri became an active volunteer within the Sunland-Tujunga community. Her participation included efforts to protect our hillsides from residential developments that threatened sensitive habitat, such as the Canyon Hills and the Verdugo Hills Golf Course projects.

From 2005 to 2009 she was an essential member of the No Home Depot Campaign. As treasurer of the Sunland-Tujunga Alliance, she helped the organization become a non-profit, handled their taxes, and used her considerable management skills to keep things flowing smoothly.


Sheri became involved with Little Landers Historical Society and Bolton Hall Museum over twenty-two years ago. Starting on the Board of Directors as recording secretary, Sheri eventually became President, a position she held for three years. For the past twelve years, Sheri served as treasurer. Additionally, she was the historical society's Outreach Chair, Membership Chair, Cornerstone newsletter editor, and a docent. She was frequently seen at Neighborhood Council meetings, and Chamber of Commerce mixers representing the historical society, and worked tirelessly promoting the organization and its events. Sheri was a shining star who exceeded all expectations and was truly the most dedicated volunteer at Bolton Hall Museum.

Sheri was an avid reader of fiction novels and historical research of ancient cultures, an expert skier, and was devoted to her yoga practice, attending weekly classes with friends in the neighborhood.

A few years ago, when Sheri was diagnosed with cancer, it did not slow her down. True to her positive nature, she continued on, never complaining or even giving a hint that anything was wrong.

Sheri passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, May 16th. She is survived by her husband Gene, her brother Harold and sister-in-law, Ro.



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