SHERICK, Phyllis (Missionary to Nigeria)
November 17, 1937 - January 13, 2025
Phyllis Sherick (nee Traub) was born November 17, 1937 and was the third child of six, and first daughter to Harley and Glapha Traub. Phyllis was born in Didsbury Alberta. As a child, Phyllis enjoyed a close bond and friendship with her brother Laverne and on many occasions they were mistaken as twins. This bond continued throughout her life, up to the passing of Laverne in 2016.
Being the daughter of a minister and denomination district superintendent, Phyllis lived in several communities around Alberta. In 1953 the family settled in Didsbury and it was here that she completed her education. Phyllis was active in the church youth group, and this is where she met her future husband Ormand Sherick.
Following her graduation from high school, Phyllis attended Mountain View Bible College and it was during her college years that Ormand and Phyllis married. They were married on August 20, 1957.
After graduating from bible college in 1959, Ormand and Phyllis ministered in Acadia Valley and Alsask. During this time they welcomed their first 2 daughters, Lynel and Colleen. Both Phyllis and Ormand felt called to be missionaries and in 1962 they moved to Elkhart Indiana for Ormand to further his education at Bethel College, in order to prepare for mission work.
In 1964, with a new baby daughter, Denita, and their other 2 daughters, Ormand and Phyllis followed God’s calling to the mission field in Nigeria. It was in Nigeria where their sons Graham and Brenton were born. After serving in Nigeria for 14 years the decision was made to move back to Canada and settled in Didsbury.
In 1988, Phyllis and Ormand moved to Sicamous B.C. to pastor in a church. Upon retiring from ministry, they managed the seniors lodge in Sicamous. In 2001 they once again moved back to Didsbury to be close to their family and to enjoy their retirement. After the passing of Ormand, Phyllis started to have memory issues and in 2018 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Making the decision to give up her home and independence and move into Aspen Lodge was not easy but Phyllis managed the move with her typical positive nature, realizing this was what the next phase of her life had in store for her. Settling into life in the lodge gave Phyllis the chance to makenew friendships as well as cherish the friendships she had made with people throughout her life that also lived, or came to live, in the lodge.
Over the last 6 years Alzheimer’s slowly took Phyllis’s memory but during this journey she remained as positive and outgoing as she could. From early childhood, up to her last day, Phyllis cherished the company of others. She was a great hostess to many, for dinners or get togethers, and it was not unusual for a puzzle to be built or games to be played when people visited. This was a constant in visits, right till the final days. As the effects of Alzheimer’s progressed Phyllis would often wish for God to take her home, and on January 13, 2025 her wish was granted.
A service will be held at Zion Evangelical Missionary Church in Didsbury, AB on Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 2pm. The service will be livestreamed as well, available at the link below.
Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed here, as well as a longer obituary.
