Sherry Elaine Morrill Obituary (1945

“Creative, Courageous, Converted” Sherry Elaine Morrill, age 73, died on July 4, 2019 in Springville, UT, with family by her side. Sherry was born on December 15, 1945 to Ethel Harrison (Williams) Schneider and Fredrick Joseph George Schneider in St. John’s Hospital, Santa Monica, California. She received a Christian baptism at the Community Methodist Church in Inglewood, CA at the age of 5. Shortly after her baptism, she moved with her family to La Mesa, California where she attended her primary years of school. While attending Grossmont High School, she was introduced to the missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and became converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a conviction that remained with her throughout her life. She was baptized a member of that church on March 26, 1961, at the age of 15. For a short time during her high school years, Sherry and her family relocated to Roseville, CA, where her remarkable beauty earned her the title of “Miss Placer County.” Her family then relocated back to La Mesa, CA, from whence Sherry moved to Provo, UT to attend Brigham Young University. On a visit back home from college, Sherry was set up on a blind date with a tall, handsome swimming pool builder named David Grant Morrill, sparks flew, and as they so often do, plans changed. Sherry and David married within months of their introduction and courtship, sealed together for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles, CA Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 7, 1965. Over the next 14 years, they welcomed six children into the world: Jennifer Morrill, Heather (Christopher) Tolen, Tony (Kathleen) Morrill, Rebecca (Gary) Hagen, Matthew (Elizabeth) Morrill, and Daniel Morrill. Fumiko Tada Iwasaki also became a daughter of their hearts when she came to live with the family during her high school years. Creativity impassioned Sherry, and she had a range of gifts and talents. Her “sewing room” was a sacred sanctuary for her from whence many different projects percolated: clothing and quilts, embroidery and activity books, paintings and pillows, stained glass and scrapbooking, macramé and mosaics, and much more as new inspiration came to her. Courage was a hallmark of Sherry’s character. She boldly faced all the challenges of motherhood and marriage, including a move with six young children away from the familiarity of friends and family to relocate to Los Angeles County in 1978 when David was promoted to a new work position. She earned her pilot’s license while pregnant with her third child (her “baby bump” was so large at the time she took her licensing exam that she was unable to pull back the control wheel far enough to perform the requisite mid-air stall!). She returned to college as a “non-traditional” student when her own children began to leave home to pursue higher education, earning her A.A. in English from Citrus College. In the last years of her life, she faced significant physical injury and debilitating health challenges courageously and with hope and faith. Conversion, conviction, and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ were among her deepest-running attributes. She loved serving within her church community, holding callings ranging from Primary and Junior Sunday School president, to Gospel Doctrine teacher, to Relief Society presidency. For 15 years, Sherry rose before the sun each day and taught early morning seminary to the youth of the Glendora, California Stake purely on a volunteer basis. She touched hearts and changed countless lives through her dedicated service and by the example she set of love and devotion for our Savior, Jesus Christ, in whose arms she now is cradled. She is survived in life by her husband David, her seven children, her sister Starr, 19 grandchildren, and 1 ¾ great-grandchildren. A celebration of her life (in an open house style) will be held on Friday, July 19, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 East Center Street. All who knew Sherry and would like to come and pay respects and share memories are welcome to attend. Private graveside services for family and invited guests will be held at the Eastlawn Memorial Hills Cemetery in Provo, UT. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bergmortuary.com.