Sherry was born Feb. 11, 1958, in Buffalo, N.Y. to Richard and Evelyn Jefferson. She moved to California at age 12 with her family. Sherry met and married her husband, Tom, in 1986 in California. They moved to Alaska in 1995 to give their five kids still at home (all boys) an opportunity to experience the close and supportive community environment that Homer provides.

Her family said, "Six kids, sports, church, friends, along with every animal she could make a home for from horses to lizards, made the years go by fast. Tom and Sherry often referred to their life as 'chaos management.' Sherry was not only a soccer mom, she was also a football, wrestling, hockey, baseball, choir and track mom. If she wasn't coaching or umping, she was rolling around on the side of the wrestling mat cheering until she was hoarse, or dancing in the back of the auditorium along with her sons on stage. The last few years were busy ones for Sherry. She was able to travel extensively, which was the desire of her heart, as well as help run Coal Bay Sandwich Co., which she co-owned with her husband Tom.

"On Monday, the 21st of July, Homer lost a wonderful member of its family when Sherry Hagen, wife and best friend of Tom, and mom and biggest fan of her children, went home to be with her Lord.

"She will be missed by the many who loved her."

Sherry was preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn Jefferson.

She is survived by her husband, Tom Hagen, children Desirea, Ian, Elliott, Devion, Camron and Collin; father, Richard Jefferson; sisters Debby Cogan, Denise Skelton and twin-sister Cheryl Dorley; and grandchildren Charlie, Isabelle and Alberto Rosario.

A memorial fund has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank, number 3898339381.