Sherry Lynn Pew

Surrounded by family, Sherry Lynn Pew died Friday, October 1, 2021, at her home in Gilbert, Arizona. Sherry was born, the youngest of 5 children, on Tuesday, September 11, 1934, in the front bedroom of her childhood home in Mesa, Arizona. "Having been born of goodly parents" she was privileged to call the late George Nicholas and Clara (Platt) Goodman, 'Father and Mother.' Their heritage was rich with ancestral pioneers who were some of the early settlers of the Gila Valley.  

Her parents owned Apache Drug on Main Street in Mesa for many years. Though both parents were pharmacists, Clara had the opportunity to stay home and rear her children.  They were taught to work hard in becoming trusted young adults. As a teenager, Sherry got to work at the family drugstore as a "Soda Jerk." She loved to wait on customers and serve them a cool refreshment; especially during the hot summer months.  A woman of good taste, that just might be the place where she developed an appreciation for her Cokes with cream. She drank those throughout her long life and they brought many a smile to her already happy face! Sherry went to Mesa High School and was a Rabbette alongside her lifelong friends, Judy Jones and Colleen Clements. She was a member of Mesa High School's Graduating Class of 1952. 

On New Year's Day 1953, Sherry and her date went on a double date with another couple, which included Arlo Pew. Of course they liked each other but no one would have ever predicted just what that meeting would mean to them just a few short years later. Arlo went away to BYU on a football scholarship. However, do to an injury, he returned to Arizona for surgery and attended ASU in Tempe. It just so happened that Sherry was attending ASU at that time where they happened to meet again at the Church's Institute Building. Their friendship was rekindled and "the rest," as they say, "was history." On November 9, 1955, Sherry married the love of her life, Arlo Vail Pew in the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To their union three lovely daughters and one good son were born.

Shortly after their marriage, Sherry began working at Pearce and Sons Distributors. However, due to Arlo's career with Valley National Bank, they had the opportunity to move to different cities around the state including: Mesa, Casa Grande, Yuma and finally landed in Tempe. They lived there for many years and made countless lifelong friends.  She fulfilled several callings for the Church and also participated in many civic duties while rearing their children. When her kids were young, in 1958, Sherry began seasonal work for the Arizona State Fair, of which her father was the Director. Sherry's seasonal work later turned into a full-time position, as she became the Director of Entries; a career that ended up spanning over 40 years. She loved what she did and so did her family. During her tenure at the State Fair, many of her family and friends were able to benefit from her position as she was able to "score" excellent seats for them at their favorite concerts. Can anyone say, "Oak Ridge Boys and George Strait?" Oh, and Marie Osmond, let's not forget about her, who told Sherry's son-in-law that, "He was so cute." During her decades at the State Fair, Sherry had made many friends that were established over the years and she was thankful for each and every one of them. After retiring from the Arizona State Fair in 2003, she became the executive secretary of the Arizona State Fair Association; a position she held until just prior to her death.

On February 19, 1987, Sherry's world was turned upside down when Arlo, her husband of 31 years, died. She was grateful for Heavenly Father's Great Plan of Happiness because, in it, she knew "Families Are Forever." With the love of her family and friends, Sherry braved this storm as only one who had a strong testimony of the Church and knew of the divinity of the Savior of the world could do. She loved the family traditions she and Arlo had created for each of her children. They say of their mother that, "She demonstrated Christ-like attributes in the way that she lived her life."

She and Arlo were good friends with Denzil and Lillian Arrington in their younger years. After being widowed for 24 years, and after his wife died, Sherry married Denzil on April 30, 2011. Only six months later, Denzil passed away on October 16, 2011. Though their time together was short, Sherry was grateful for the friendship and companionship that they shared. 

Throughout her life, Sherry knew how to have fun. She and Arlo both loved to golf with friends and, together, they were in many bowling leagues. Along with her Cokes and cream, her "other true loves" were The Young and The Restless and The Bold and Beautiful. El Charro in Mesa will greatly miss Sherry because over the years she literally bought thousands of green chile burritos. Loved by so many, this little ball of sunshine will be missed by all. 

Sherry is survived by her 4 children: Lori Ann (Matt) Livingston of Gilbert, Arizona, Vicki Lynn (Eddie) Bracamonte of Tempe, Arizona, Pennie Sue (Russell) Kortsen of Flagstaff, Arizona, Steven Arlo (Jessica) Pew of Bethel, Alaska; 12 grandchildren: Cedar Livingston Lilly, Chantry (Jayden) Livingston, Chase (Erika) Livingston, Cheyanne (Taylor) Davis, Tyler Bracamonte, Colten (Ashlee) Kortsen, Casey (Zach) Petersen, Trevor (Lexi) Kortsen, Arlo (McKenzie) Pew, Ashley (Nick) Youngblood, Jessica Pew, Gavin Pew and her 18 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by 6 step-children: Sherrie (Richard) Hinton, Jeanette (Fred) Clare, Dwayne (Cindy) Arrington, Dan (Sharon) Arrington, Wendy (Steve) Nance, Katie (Kevin) Washburn and their families.  

Along with her parents and husbands, Sherry was preceded in death by her brothers and sister: Billy (Hazel) Goodman, Clifford (Earlene) Goodman, Sr., Pete Goodman and Sue (Gail) Pomeroy and several nieces and nephews.

The visitation and viewing will be from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Friday, October 15, 2021, at the Matt and Lori Livingston Family Home, 15430 E. Ray Road in Gilbert, Arizona. The funeral service will begin promptly at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, October 16, 2021, at the Ray Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1155 S. Ray Road in Gilbert, Arizona where additional visitation will begin one hour prior. The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the City of Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center Street in Mesa, Arizona where she will be laid to rest along side her "Forever Sweetheart."

Sherry's family is thankful for the many kindnesses they have received during this difficult season and are especially grateful for the prayers offered up in their behalf.