Sharon E. Dalphond, 78, of Derry, NH, passed away Saturday, July 4, 2020, in Catholic Medical Center, Manchester, NH with her daughters by her side from multiple health complications, not from Covid-19.
She was born in Wolfeboro, NH on December 26, 1941, a daughter of David Bruce and Marion (Craigue) Russell. Sherry [to her friends & family] spent her formative years in Wolfeboro. She attended Wolfeboro schools and was considered a fun-loving carefree soul. As a teenager she worked at the Yum-Yum Shop and also as a Telephone Operator in Wolfeboro. She loved to dance - earning the title "Queen of the Hop", in 1958.
Sherry loved the water - be it a River, Lake or Ocean. She married Albert Dalphond a US Navy man who later became a US Coast Guardsman. They had 2 Daughters and spent several years living in various places throughout New England.
She began a Career at Digital Equipment Corporation as a Q.C. Inspector and worked there until she retired at age 55. Sherry loved living in NH. and did so until she retired and became a "Snowbird" spending half the year in FL. The other half was spent at her beloved Camp on the Suncook River.
Beginning in 1976 Sherry spent the next 35 years with her life partner Richard (Shep) Shepard. Together they built a summer camp where she spent more than 40 years on the River in Maple Grove Campground, Suncook, NH during the warmer months. She created many fond memories there; family gatherings, campfires, swimming, and plenty of laughs. Sherry was also known fondly as [great] 'Nana', not only to her grandchildren but to many others.
Sherry loved to dance & bowl, play cards & Bingo. Because of her love for the water she was always eager to go to the beach. She loved a good novel but was happiest when she was with her family. She loved to travel and once made it all the way to England & Scotland with her sister & cousin, Donna. She made a summer trek every year up to Oxford, Me. She loved New England!
Sherry had the blessing of renewing a friendship with her childhood sweetheart, Charlie Flanagan 5.5 years ago. Both having been widowed, they had the incredible opportunity not given to most. . . the fellowship of a friendship that endured more than 50 years. Our family could not be more pleased to see our beloved Momma so Happy these last five and a half years. We will sorely miss her, as will Charlie, but we will be forever grateful for her love & laughter and all she taught us. She's dancing with Jesus on streets of gold now, eternally blessed!!
She is survived by two daughters, Patricia Parham of Pelham, NH and Diane & Stanley Putnam of NY; six grandchildren, Amy & Lee Herndon, Melissa & Adam LaPierre, Heidi Gardner, Danielle & Mike Saxe, Noah & Mysti Putnam, and Jeriah & Aurora Putnam; sixteen great grandchildren, an aunt, Nancy Kendall of Augusta, ME. a niece, Wendy Arguin & nephew, William David & Lisa Meffert, and her best friend Charlie Flanagan.
She is predeceased by her parents; her life partner Richard (Shep) Shepard; brother, James Russell; sister, Patricia Vierstra; and a niece, Vicki Meffert.
Following cremation, a graveside dedication of her ashes will be held on Sunday August 2, 2020 at 11:00 am in Lakeview Cemetery, North Main St., Wolfeboro NH. Memorial contributions may be made to Ossipee Concerned Citizens, Box 426, Center Ossipee, NH 03814. To