Obituary of Sheri E. Kurtz

Sheri was a warm-hearted and generous being , an enthusiastic and thoughtful listener , a nuanced communicator of ideas and feelings with never a need to take anyone down a peg. Sheri held convictions and beliefs that centered around protecting , honoring and supporting all human beings . For over thirty years she advocated for , collaborated with , and empowered the battered and bruised, the marginalized , the oppressed . Just a few days prior to her death she was working as the program director of a community mental health clinic in Springfield, Massachusetts . One of her first jobs was as a legal advocate at the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center. Sheri was strong , valiant , and courageous. She coexisted with an aggressive cancer for over three years and she did it gracefully. Sheri possessed a keen awareness of the fabric of life . She paid attention to the call of a bird , the flowering tree , the fruit on the vine. The finest of detail in the ordinary moment was examined and appreciated. This ever evolving practice was the living out of a rich and full life.

Sheri passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family that loved her deeply and felt so privileged to have known such a special being .

Sheri was born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, moved to Massachusetts at the age of seven and graduated from Amherst High School in 1987. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Holyoke College in 1990, majoring in Sociology and Women's Studies . In 1998 she obtained a Juris Doctor from University of Pittsburgh School of Law and went on to receive a Masters in Social Work from Smith College in 2008.

Sheri is survived by her husband William Sweidel Jr., daughter Vera Staub , the love of her life , father Noel Kurtz and his wife Kathryn , mother Ellen Kurtz, sister Lori Morgan , and half sister Greta Kurtz.

A memorial service /celebration of life will be held on August 7th at 2 pm. It will take place at 23 Jewett Lane , South Hadley MA 01075.