Sheryl Pasquinelli
Mar. 11, 1963 - Oct. 14, 2018 San Jose
Sheryl Deffenbaugh Pasquinelli, resident of San Jose, wife, mother and dear friend to everyone who she met died peacefully on October 14, 2108 of ovarian cancer at her home in San Jose, CA, surrounded by her immediate family.
Sheryl was born on March 11, 1963 to Janice and Richard Deffenbaugh in Kennewick, WA. Sheryl grew up in Kennewick, and later moved to Silicon Valley. Despite the move she remained a small town girl loving fresh baked cookies and watching syrupy movies on the Hallmark channel. She graduated with honors from Kennewick High School in 1981, and earned a BSCS from the University of Puget Sound in 1985, graduating again with honors.
Sheryl held various computer analyst positions with Weyerhauser and Boeing, located in the greater Seattle area. She then accepted a sales position with Cadre technologies and moved to Silicon Valley, where she met her husband, Kevin. Sheryl was baptized in 1993, formally committing her life to the Lord, and was married at the Mission Santa Clara on January 29, 1994. The couple honeymooned in Australia, and loved taking cruises together.
Sheryl gave birth to Gina Rose Pasquinelli on October 14, 1996 and Joshua James Pasquinelli on March 6, 1999. Gina and Joshua were later enrolled at Campbell Christian School and this is where Sheryl found her real calling. Sheryl become CCS’s computer teacher. Over the next fifteen years Sheryl created and molded a computer curriculum suitable for all ages, from pre-kindergarten through junior high school. She loved computers and loved teaching the children about computing, ranging in subjects from digital citizenship to programming. She cherished being able to teach at the same school her children attended. She also cherished her CCS friendships and felt that CCS cherished her. Sheryl took great pride in her student’s achievements, in addition to those of her own children. Her greatest pride was knowing that her children grew up committed to the Lord, like herself.
Then, in 2016, Sheryl was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer, despite showing no symptoms. In response, she continued her commitment to a Godly life and set her mind on fighting the cancer. She expressed her fight at the caring bridge website, ending each post with “God is good all the time, All the time, God is good!” Sheryl never complained, never felt sorry for herself, and consistently praised God for all that had been given her. Sheryl had an unwavering commitment to the Lord. She lived her life and her fight against cancer knowing that God is good in every situation, even in our unfaithfulness. Knowing that God is always good, Sheryl always trusted God even until the end, when she said “I am ready to go home to Jesus.”
Sheryl is survived by her husband Kevin, children Gina and Josh, brother Greg Deffenbaugh, mother Janice Deffenbaugh, and father-in-law Arthur Pasquinelli. A memorial service will be held in celebration of Sheryl’s life on November 10, 2018 at 2:30 P.M. at West Valley Presbyterian Church, located at 6191 Bollinger Road, Cupertino, CA, 95014 (408.252.1365), reception immediately following.