Churchill, Sherry A., 42, April 8, 2014.
FLETCHERS LANDING – Sherry Ann Churchill, 42, died peacefully at Eastern Maine Medical Center on April 8, 2014. She was born at the Cary Medical Center in Caribou, Maine on September 26, 1971.
Sherry graduated in 1993 from the University of Maine at Presque Isle, where she studied environmental science and geology. She assisted the research of UMPI Professor Kevin McCartney, with whom she co-authored a scientific paper, and later had a new species of silicoflagellate named after her: Schulzyocha churchillii. Also while in college, she interned in the office of the former Senator George J. Mitchell. In 2010 she received a Distinguished Alumni Award from UMPI.
Sherry served as a Peace Corps Volunteer from 1994-1997, in the village of Sisia, Niger, West Africa. Her future husband, Christopher Huh, was also a Volunteer in Niger in a nearby village. On her return, she entered Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs and in 2001 received a Master of Public Affairs degree.
Returning to Maine, Sherry worked as a Planner for the Hancock County Planning Commission and over the years organized several household hazardous waste collection events in Ellsworth and MDI. In her job, she received Project of the Year in 2005.
She volunteered in the community, and at home enjoyed gardening and caring for her menagerie (chickens, goats, and dogs). She foraged for and cooked wild mushrooms, and was passionate about environment stewardship and the role of recycling.
Sherry and Chris’ beloved son, Storm Matthiessen Huh, was born at home on November 9, 2011 attended by First Light Community Midwives. She introduced Storm to Curious George, the creation of author Margret Rey, whom Sherry worked for as a personal assistant while living in Boston shortly after college.
Additional survivors are Sherry’s mother, Lena Williams; step-father, Paul Williams; father, Joseph Churchill; sisters, Tracie Jo and Jody Churchill; and brother, Brian Churchill. Memorials in her name may be made to the Ellsworth Public Library children’s collection at 20 State St., Ellsworth, ME 04605; or to Community Radio WERU-FM, P.O. Box 170, East Orland, ME 04431.
