
June 30, 1967 – June 2, 2025
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Sherry Vriend (neé Hurley), cherished wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, and friend. After a valiant fight with cancer, Sherry passed away peacefully on June 2, 2025, with her family by her side. She was 57 years old.
Sherry was born and raised in Brantford, Ontario. In 1998, she married her best friend and loving husband, Mike. They moved to Dundas, where they raised their children, and her pride and joy, Emmali and Sam.
Sherry lived a life filled with courage, determination, resilience, and kindness, and she paved the way for and inspired many. She was the first in her family to attend university, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in sociology from York University in 1992. Sherry was a fierce advocate for people in need. Family, friend, or stranger, she was always willing to lend a hand and offer support. Most of her career and volunteer work focused on supporting and advocating for children and youth in crisis, and victims and witnesses of violence. When her children were young, Sherry was also a volunteer for youth hockey and figure skating clubs.
Sherry amassed a devoted ‘village’ of family and friends, which is a testament to the person she was, and the life she lived. She enjoyed making people smile, sharing fun times with her village, doing interior design and home renovations, travelling (especially to a tropical beach!), and playing and watching hockey.
Sherry was blessed and grateful to have her village by her side and lifting her spirits during her final cancer battle. She was also thankful for the compassion and care from her healthcare team, especially Dr. Zbuk, Deb Evans, Jamie Lynn, and the nurses and staff at Bayshore and Juravinski Cancer Center and Hospital.
Sherry, and her beautiful smile, will be missed by all who knew her. Her inspiring legacy is one of strength, courage, hope, and faith, and it will live on in those she leaves behind. May she rest peacefully knowing that she will be forever loved, cherished, and remembered.
Sherry is predeceased by her beloved mother, Jean Hurley. She leaves behind her husband Mike, daughter Emmali, son Sam, dog Goose, mother-in-laws Marlene and Barb, brothers Jim and Terry (Tracy), sisters Sandy (Bill) and Pattee (Joel), sister-in-law Pam (Anthony), and many loved nieces and nephews.
A private celebration of Sherry’s life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Sherry’s memory to Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada, Wellwood Cancer Resource Centre, or Margaret’s Place Hospice.
Dear Sherry, you fought with all your might, patience, strength, dignity and grace. You set an amazing example for us all. Thank you dear friend. 💕
Dear Mike, Em, Sam, Pattee, Sandee and family, May your memories of your beautiful, strong and brave wife, mom and sister sustain you always.
Our sincerest condolences,
Love Savina, Johnny, Adam and Sarah
Sherry, you will be missed beyond words.
Mike, Em and Sam, our deepest condolences.
Family was everything to Sherry and she loved you all very much.
With all our love,
Sean, Pina and Family
Sherry you fought your battle with such dignity and strength. You inspired so many- you will be so missed! Sending you our deepest condolences.
Pete, Dawn, Nathan and Jeremy Zontanos xo
Condolences to the entire family. She was a beautiful person🙏🙏
Dearest Sherry,
You were truly the light of our little neighbourhood, the glue that held it together and the reason why so many would come back to get a signature hug.
Cadeem and I will forever remember you bringing him a piece of cake thinking it was his birthday (his mistake – hehe) the first time you met him. You made it clear that he was someone to be celebrated and loved. I am forever thankful for that love and acceptance.
My dearest Vriend family,
Mike, thanks for being “uncle Mike” and being the such an amazing friend to Darcy! Staircases need to stay together, you truly go above and beyond. Sam, love you dude! You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, and Sherry was so proud of you (even when you refuse to cut your hair)! And finally, Em, my bestie. I love you and just want you to know how much you are supported, your mom’s village is yours too. I love all the memories we share and am so grateful for you in my life. You are your mom’s biggest accomplishment, because no one else is like you!
All my love to the family, my deepest condolences. Sherry will be missed, but I know I just gained an amazing guardian angel!
What lovely words for a lovely person. She will live on in all whose lives she touched and especially in her family. Baiton family.
Where words do not suffice in this time of profound loss, we offer our appreciation for the example Sherry provided for a life well-lived, a person well loved, and who loved so well in return.
Equally we offer hope for comfort to her family, her “village” and all who were touched by Sherry’s wonderful influence.
With love from The Foleys.
Sherry, our journey began when we met through hockey with our girls and our friendship continued into our own hockey shenanigans
What a great fortune it was to have known you and the wonderful person you were
You will be missed dearly
Rest in peace my friend xo
Our sincerest condolences to you all.
Julie & Lidio Mancini & family
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of a kind and lovely woman. All of you remain in our thoughts and prayers.
I am so sorry to hear this Mike.
Wishing you and your family strength and peace for the days ahead.
My sincere condolences.
Rick
Our deepest sympathy to the family- May Sherry Rest in Peace.
Joh,Liz , David and Caitlin Brennan.
Sherry was a wonderful caring person who touched everyone she met in her own special way. Sincere Condolences to her loving supportive family. Hugs Brenda and Rick Sims
Sherry, there is a physical hole in your Village that we promise to keep filled with the beautiful memories we have shared over many wonderful years and special moments together. You taught us what it means to be courageous and classy with your unwavering strength and positivity. We will never stop saying your name and will keep you with us in our hearts and heads. Dear Mike, Emmali, and Sam … our hearts break for your loss and the pain you feel. It doesn’t seem fair that someone so special could be taken this soon. You have so much to be proud of that will keep you smiling when you think about ‘your Sherry’ for the rest of your lives! We know she was incredibly proud of you all too, the way her smile beamed when sharing stories of her incredible family! We are with you. All our love, Sue, Kevin, Zach and Jenna
Sherry left an indelible mark on our family. 2 girls referred to as “The Hurley Girlies” from Brantford. “Aunt Sherry and Uncle Patty” adopted Aunties by Kaylea. From St. Johns Girls Drum Corps, to Stan’s Chip Wagon and endearing friend of my brother David. We have so many memories from years gone by. Sherry’s golden threads are lovingly woven throughout the tapestry of our lives will be cherished forever.
Sincerest Condolences.
Mike,
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
I wish you strength and courage in coming weeks and months ahead.
I will be adding Sherry’s name to the list of people I’m riding for during this weekend’s ride to conquer cancer.
Our sincerest and heartfelt condolences .
Trevor Good & family
Dear Mike and family. What can we say but our greatest sympathy in Sherry’s death. So travelled a difficult road with lots of curves and bums. She is free from her cancer. We hold you in our thoughts and in our hearts. May you be comforted by her village