SHARON KAY “SHERRIE” CALVANO
SHARON KAY “SHERRIE” CALVANO
Sharon Kay “Sherrie” Calvano, 87, of Tenafly, NJ, passed away Aug. 10, 2024. She was the second of four children to Ardalene and Giles Rickard. Sherrie was born April 22, 1937, in Black River Falls, WI, where she grew up and graduated from Black River Falls High School in 1955.
Sherrie moved to Minnesota where she worked as a stewardess and ambassador for America Airline’s Royal Coachman line. With a beauty and poise, she would carry throughout her life, she was crowned Queen of Homes in 1960 and featured in The American Home magazine.
From there, Sherri moved to New York City, where she met and married James F. Calvano, her loving husband of 60 years. Sherrie embraced Jim’s children, Christine, James and John, and together, they welcomed sons Marc and Michael into their family.
After years of hard work and good fortune, Sherrie and Jim built their home on the bay of Sanibel Island, FL. This remained Sherrie’s favorite place, her heaven on earth, for the rest of her life.
Sherrie was blessed with many gifts. She was a voracious reader and an accomplished bridge player. She was an avid gardener, a deft quilter and a fixture on the golf course. The memory of her wonderful cooking is still savored by those who were privileged to enjoy it.
Sherrie had an adventurous spirit, an infectious laugh and a bright smile. She was as comfortable in fine places as she was in the deep woods of Canada, where she vacationed with her family. She had an incredible ability to make those around her feel at ease and those closest to her feel loved and cherished. Sherrie will be remembered best for her commitment to her family, as a beloved sister, a devoted wife and a loving mother and grandmother.
Surviving are her children, Christine Martinez, Jim (Mary) Calvano, John (Sylvia) Calvano, Marc Calvano and Michael (Sandi Roch) Calvano; her sisters, Jean (Jack) Louis and Mary Williams; and her brother, Jim Rickard; her grandchildren, Melissa (Jadan) Duffin, Brittney Wyatt, Morgan (Zach) Wicker, Jonathan Calvano, James L. Calvano, Amanda McCann, Anthony Calvano, Gavin Calvano, Mariah Calvano, Brianna Calvano, Nicholas Calvano, Madison Calvano and Catherine Calvano; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Giles Rickard and Ardalene Klessig; her sister-in-law, Ramona Rickard; and her husband, James F. Calvano.
The family wishes to celebrate Sherrie’s life in private and would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all who have offered their condolences and support during this difficult time. A special thanks to the caregivers who tended to Sherrie and her husband Jim in their final years.