- Date Of Birth: January 2, 1936
- Date Of Death: July 30, 2022
- State: Colorado
Sherry Thaxton Hillstrom, 86, passed away on July 30. She was a resident of Colorado Springs for 57 years after moving from Salem, Oregon, with her husband and three children in 1965. Sherry was born Jan. 2, 1936, to Elden and Anne Thaxton. On June 24, 1955, she married her high school sweetheart, first boyfriend and lifelong love, Eldon “Spike” Hillstrom, in their hometown of Coos Bay.
Sherry was an accomplished professional painter and teacher who first picked up a brush to fill time when Spike was on the road recruiting as a football coach for the U.S. Air Force Academy. Within a year, she was painting full-time and hosted her first art show in Colorado Springs.
Sherry studied with notable artists like Ray Vinella, Charles Reid, Herman Raymond, and Ovanes Berberian and attended the Umbria School of Art in Italy.
Sherry’s work was featured in fine art galleries across the country including in New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon, and Martha’s Vineyard.
Those who loved her will never forget her generous humor and quick wit.
Late in life, her most treasured moments were those spent with her family and dear friends.
Despite all her career accomplishments, Sherry’s greatest pride in life was her children and grandchildren, whom she never hesitated to tell how much she loved. She doted on her grandchildren and great-granddaughters every chance she got until the day she died. She is — and forever will be — deeply missed.
Sherry is survived by her children: Kellie (Mike), Mike (Kirsten) and Jeff (Jenny); her sister, Pam Schaefer; her ten grandchildren; and her two great-granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her husband, Spike, and her parents, Elden and Anne.
