Sherry Lynn Dempsey-Helms
August 24, 1955 - October 26, 2020
Sherry Lynn Dempsey-Helms was born August 24, 1955 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She passed away October 26, 2020 at the age of 65.
Sherry’s compassionate care was not limited to people; Sherry will be remembered as “The Girl Who Loves Her Dogs” and her passion for protecting any domestic pet in need, and preserving and protecting wildlife, with a particular fondness for eagles. It only follows that Sherry will be inurned with nine pets who preceded her in death, and sorely missed by four surviving pets.
Sherry and Carol visited the Rio Grande Center for Spiritual Living in Albuquerque in November 2015, and became members shortly thereafter. She loved volunteering in the Spirit Bound Book (and Gift) Store, eagerly volunteered to decorate for seasonal events celebrated by the Center and was always willing to help with ushering and other community outreach projects. The Center community was a tremendous source of compassionate support for both Sherry and Carol during Sherry’s almost six month hospitalization before she entered the Anna Kaseman Hospice Hospital in October 2020.
Sherry was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Lou Lambert; her father, James Albert Dempsey; her younger brother, Abner “Buck” Russell; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Sherry is survived by her life-partner of 27 years, and wife for the last five years, Carol S. Helms. Sherry and Carol met in Houston, Texas while training for the Houston Marathon in October, 1994; they discovered they lived a block away from each other; and continued to enjoy 5ks, 10ks, sprint triathlons and biking. Sherry spent most of her adult life working in health care. She began as a 911 paramedic in Galveston, Texas, and continued working in health care, primarily as a medical assistant. Sherry and Carol moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2000 where Sherry continued work as a medical assistant in cardiology and dialysis, the latter of which proved to be her calling.
Sherry is also survived by her older brother, Frank Dempsey (wife Malinda Dempsey and three sons, Christopher (wife Shana and two daughters, Mya and Lily), Aaron (wife Pam, son Uriah and daughter Myla), Corwin; and one daughter, Dacia (her son, Bryce); her sister, Donna McDermott, (husband Paul McDermott and daughter Lauren Powell); her brother Ivan (“Chuck”) Russell, his wife Robin Russell and son, Brandon, and step-daughter, Dusty Smart); her sister, Karen Dunker (her son Nickolas Dunker and daughter Shawna Dunker); beloved aunts, uncles and cousins; step-mother, Jerry “Mom Jer” Dempsey (step brothers Patrick and Christopher); her mother-in-law, Gerry Helms, and her sister-in-law Margie Persch; two nieces, one nephew and great nieces and nephews and many other friends who loved and will miss her greatly.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Rio Grande Center for Spiritual Living, 4374 Alexander Blvd. N.E. Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107 on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at11:00 a.m. A potluck will follow from 12:00 – 1:00 in the Rio Grande Center for Spirit Center Social Hall and the inurnment will then take place at Best Friends Forever at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE. Albuquerque, NM 87107.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations and memorial contributions to a domestic animal shelter or wildlife refuge; or the Anna Kaseman Hospice Hospital via the Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation; or charity of your choice.
They that wait upon Spirit shall renew their strength. They shall mount with up wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. ~ Isaiah 40:31
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SERVICES
Celebration of Life
Saturday, September 25, 2021
11:00 AM
Rio Grande Center for Spiritual Living
4374 Alexander Blvd. NE,
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107
