Sherry Grupp ’90 Schuen

Sherry Schuen‘s struggle with ALS ended on November 22, 2023 at the age of 55.  She is survived by her husband, James, and her two adult children, Brendan and Abigail ’23, as well as, her furry family members, a golden retriever Finnigan, and two cats, Rue and Poppy. Also, she is survived by her mother and father, Pat and Richard Grupp, and her brother Jeff and his wife Amy, who have four children.

Sherry grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan where she attended Kalamazoo Christian High School.  From Hope College, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, and then earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Western Michigan University.  She married her high school sweetheart and they relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan.  She worked as a special needs elementary school teacher for 16 years and 10 years in regular elementary education.

Throughout her life, Sherry devoted herself to her family, her students, and her love of animals and nature.  She enjoyed photographing all aspects of nature during her walks in the woods as well as in her backyard – birds, trees, plants, furry woodland animals, insects. She led her family and her classroom with a quiet strength, love, kindness, grace, creativity, and humor.   She loved God and selflessly cared for others.

More recently, she discussed what heaven might be like upon her arrival.  We’d like to share her firsthand account below.

“We just wanted to let everyone know that Sherry is officially one with the love/joy/bliss fest, also known as heaven.  She wanted us to tell you that she has gratitude bubbling up from her soul for all of you and all the love, time, and spirit you poured into our family’s life!!! THANK YOU!  She told us she was greeted by a welcoming committee of a talking hedgehog, opossum, raccoon, bat, otter, cat, skunk, butterfly, and hummingbird.  She was then led to a feast in the woods with a myriad of other talking birds, animals and insects where she plans to enjoy profound conversations, delicious foods, and tea.  There was talk of a dance after the meal around a large bonfire to the music of fiddles, drums, and hurdy gurdies.  The rumor was that there was going to be look-alike escorts at the dance of people that bore a striking resemblance to Brad Pitt, Jason Momoa, Johnny Depp, Michael B. Jordan, Bradley Cooper and others.”