Gladys Scheri

Gladys I. Scheri

March 22, 1932 - May 23, 2021

Her smile lit up a room: a beacon for all to see.  Her laughter was both infectious and musical: leaving you longing for more.  She was perceptive, witty, encouraging, loving, wise and stubborn.  We would not have wanted her any other way and she will be deeply missed by her family and friends.  Gladys Scheri passed away on May 23, 2021 at her home in Kerrville, Texas following a brief illness.

Gladys was born in La Salle, Illinois the daughter of Jerry and Irma Saporiti.   She grew up in Oglesby, Illinois where she attended grade school and graduated with honors from the near-by consolidated high school and community college.  In grade school as an academic standout, educators advanced her two grades allowing for an early graduation.  She excelled as a pianist and as a badminton competitor.

On January 10, 1953 she married Charles Scheri at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  Soon after their marriage, business opportunities took them to the Detroit/Rochester Hills, Michigan area where they resided for nearly 66 years.  Their marriage was blessed by the birth of their children Richard and Andrea.  Her family relished her homemade tortellini, lasagne and fresh breads.  Although the recipes have been preserved, the flavors will never be the same without her.

Gladys pursued her dream of studying languages by earning an undergraduate degree from Wayne State University with distinction in Spanish with minors in French, Social Science, and English.  She was awarded Phi Beta Kappa for excellence in liberal arts and sciences.  She subsequently completed her Master’s degree and certification in Spanish, French, and Italian.  She belonged to several professional organizations such as the Modern Language Association and the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese.  It was during her teaching years at Wayne State that she also co-authored a Spanish textbook.

A master of languages and their cultures, Gladys - a remarkable wife, mother, daughter, and sister - will be remembered for her love of family and service to learning, the arts, and the community.  Her career in teaching led her from Wayne State University classes, where she served as the Spanish Club Advisor, to a lengthy employment in the Romeo, Michigan school system.  During her years teaching in Romeo she sponsored the student Horseback Riding and Golf clubs.

Gladys supported activities at St. David’s Catholic Church in Detroit and at the Detroit Museum of Art.  She served the Rochester, Michigan community as a dedicated supporter of the Rochester Hills Public Library and had been a volunteer at the Library Friends store since its inception in 1992.  A lover of languages, she enjoyed crossword puzzles, many learning and discovery experiences abroad and movies.  Her pursuit for knowledge and fondness of other cultures led her to travel with her family both domestically and internationally.  She will be missed on our life travels and adventures.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents.  She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Charles, of Kerrville, Texas, her daughter Andrea Scheri of Bandera, Texas, her son Dr. Richard Scheri and wife Dr. Jing Wang of Moscow, Idaho, and her sister Dr. Mary Lou Kotecki of Rock Island, Illinois as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.    In lieu of flowers the family asks that remembrances or donations be made to the following organizations:

Leader Dogs for the Blind

1039 S. Rochester Road

Rochester, MI  48307

Donate in Honor or Memory - (248) 651-9011

or

Peterson Health Foundation

Peterson Hospice - Honor/Memorial Fund - (830) 258-7411

551 Hill Country Drive

Kerrville, TX  78028

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gladys Scheri, please visit our floral store.