Columbus
Our beloved Sherleen “Sherri” McKinney, 70, Columbus, departed from our world in the familiar surroundings of her home on March 3, 2017. She is now resting peacefully.
The focus of her life was altruism. Her full, vibrant life touched many in our community.
Her students at Lincoln Elementary, and lately Southside Elementary, loved and adored her. She had high expectations for her students, and welcomed and included students with disabilities. With compassion and caring, she made all of her students believe in themselves and pursue their goals.
As a veteran teacher spanning 33 years, Sherri mentored new teachers in the field. To her, teaching in the public schools was an honor. She made all her students and colleagues better people. She helped create one of the first multi-age classrooms – kindergarten through third grade – almost 20 years ago.
Sherri worked tirelessly for the Granny Connection to raise funds for AIDS victims all over the world. She served as a senior project mentor, was a member of BARTA, Delta Kappa Gamma and Alpha Delta Kappa Sororities. She was also a member of Sha’arei Shalom Reform Jewish Congregation of Columbus. Sherri was a voracious reader and was active in a long standing book club. She enjoyed Tai Chi and studied with Master Todd at Mill Race Center.
Sherri loved animals, especially her horse in her youth, and most recently her two cats, Millie and Pandora.
Sherri had a warm and loving relationship with her parents, Sidney and Delores Silverman. Her parents devoted numerous hours mentoring Sherri in reading and education. This became the most important aspect in her life during her formative years.
In high school, she began correspondences with fellow students worldwide, especially in Japan and Germany. Sherri was able to maintain a special rapport with colleagues and enjoyed the experience immensely.
Survivors include her cousins, John “Jay” Silverman of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Matha Silverman of Terre Haute; and a brother-in-law, Troy David McKinney of Columbus, Indiana.
She was preceded by her loving husband, Timothy D. McKinney, who passed away on Jan. 5, 2015; and her parents, Sidney and Deloris Dudley Silverman.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to IUPUI Simon Cancer Research Center in Indianapolis through the funeral home.
Services will be conducted by Rabbi Natalie Shribman of Cincinnati, Ohio, at 10 a.m. Friday, March 10, 2017, at the Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service Friday. Burial will be next to her husband, Tim, at Garland Brook Cemetery.
