Jeanne Sherfey

Jeanne Sherfey died on June 5, 2018 at the age of 71 of ovarian cancer. Being a lifelong micro-manager, she wrote her own obituary and it follows:

I’ve had the happiest life a person could hope for. I feel fortunate to have made it to 71 when so many before me died so much younger.

There are a few main reasons why I’ve had such a nice life.

I had the best mother a person could hope for. I was raised with a sense of wellbeing and self-assuredness that allowed me to take risks and have fun. I went through life always thinking I was great!

I had a wonderful sister, Melinda, and brother-in–law, Jack. Minnie endured me when we were younger but our relationship blossomed into appreciation and love. I always knew she and Jack would do anything for me and my family.

I found Stinson Beach, after growing up in Corona del Mar. (I was a member of the first graduating class of Corona del Mar high school - Class of 1964.) Stinson Beach led me to my husband Greg; the calm, patient, can-fix-anything, kind of guy. He led me to camping and the outdoors and to two beautiful (both inside and out) daughters. My daughters, Sara and Barbara, have been the real joys of our life. The fun of watching them play sports in High School and going to their Master Degree’s graduations are such great memories. And then, we got sons-in-law and grandchildren!

Sara married Danny, the Sicilian Fireman, and they gave us the amazing Lily, age eleven and, Rocky age eight. Barbara married Will, the Rhode Island bred Alternative Energy Legislative Consultant, who gave us, Olive, age two. Olive, who lives next door, is the smartest, bravest, most polite and funniest little kid ever. We’ve had a special bond thanks to seeing each other every day and, me always being happy to do whatever she wants! I know she will miss me for a while.

Stinson Beach is a wonderful community of people that care about and help each other; it was and is a perfect place to raise a family. The beautiful natural surroundings of “Mt. Tam”, the ocean, and the Point Reyes Seashore, have provided all the inspiration I’ve ever needed and, exercise too!

I was a Dipsea runner; even the Double Dipsea a couple times. But, my favorite activity was the Ride and Tie; a race with two runners and one horse. We would often start at Five Brooks, near Pt Reyes, and take off for Wildcat Beach or Bass Lake. One person would start on the horse and gallop for a mile or so and then tie the horse to a tree. Meanwhile, the second person would be running to the horse, getting on and galloping to their partner for the next hand-off. I was never fast but, just completing the 40 mile race gave me a sense of accomplishment.

These past years Greg and I have enjoyed the trails of “Mt. Tam”. Both of us have new knees so we would hike up and take “The Stage” home. The Matt Davis trail is only a few steps from our front door. When I was 55, I opened a real estate and vacation rentals office in Stinson with a girlfriend, Sandra. We called it, Highway One Properties. Sadly, Sandra passed away in 2009 from breast cancer. In 2015, my daughters wanted to join the business so I merged with Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty, now Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty. Working under their brokerage was the best real estate decision I ever made and it’s been such fun to work with the girls.

The very hardest part of my situation is knowing that my family, for a while, will miss me terribly. My dear husband, Greg, will be so lonely for some time, as I would be if he left me. And, I know it will be hard for the girls. We are a very close family, taking annual vacations together, and spending so much time cooking and eating together. We so enjoy each other’s company. For me, I have come to appreciate my situation as just another part of the ups and downs of life. I have reaped the benefits of knowing my time is short, appreciating people and places so much more and, not sweating the small stuff. Every day is what you make it!