Sherley May (Day) Baisinger's Obituary
Sherley May (Day) Baisinger of Centralia Washington passed away peacefully on Mother’s Day, May 8th,
- Born in 1922 along with her twin brother Sherman, she was the daughter of Sherman W. Day Sr and Hertilla Barlow Day of Tacoma.
Sherley grew up in Tacoma with her two brothers, Sherman and Barlow Day. She graduated in 1941 from Stadium High where she was active in many school activities. Going on to College of Puget Sound (now UPS) she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and graduated in 1946 with a degree in Sociology. As with so many others, her education was interrupted by World War II.
Lloyd Baisinger, also a student at CPS, won her heart and they married on March 22, 1944. Their first home was in North Carolina, where Lloyd was stationed as a member of the US Navy. After returning to school to finish their degrees, Lloyd and Sherley settled in Tacoma where their first 3 children were born. Moving to Kent in 1952, the family was completed with 2 more children. Sherley was very active in the Kent community, and was involved in elementary PTA for more than 20 years. She was also a dedicated volunteer for many causes, including March of Dimes and the Children’s Orthopedic Society.
Family and friends were a delight to Sherley and she had a wide circle of both. From family gatherings at the cabin on Fox Island to fishing vacations with family and friends at La Push, WA she managed to have fun wherever she found herself. In addition to being a wonderful cook, she was a tireless reader who was never without a book nearby. She was an avid bridge player and was one of few people able to complete crossword puzzles with a ballpoint pen.
At age 40, she took up golf when she and Lloyd joined Meridian Valley Country Club. They had many outstanding golfing vacations in the western United States and Hawaii. Her happiest golfing moment was when she made a hole in one at Riverside Golf Course in Chehalis. She remained an avid sports fan until late in life and rarely missed a broadcast of a Mariners game.
In 1975 Lloyd and Sherley moved to Chehalis WA when Lloyd was promoted to Regional Vice President of First Interstate Bank. Sherley quickly made many new friends and grew to love the area. A lifelong Methodist, they joined Chehalis Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and was active in many capacities of the church. She was a servant of God and had a quiet but unshakeable faith.
Sherley lived life to the fullest, being compassionate and kind, and incredibly strong. She raised her children to be hardworking, honest people and above all to love the Lord. She was the rock and the anchor of the family.
She is survived by her husband of 72 years, C. Lloyd Baisinger; son Glen Baisinger and wife Nancy of
Albany OR; son Gary Baisinger and wife Christy of Yakima WA; daughter Sheryl Baisinger and wife
Danita Cochrane of Covington WA; Nancy Baisinger-Davis and husband Bruce of Eagle River Alaska;
Carol Sturza and husband Rob of Black Diamond WA; and grandchildren Dennis Baisinger, Scott Baisinger, Sarah Mukasa, Adam Baisinger, Dana Lede, Charles Pollock, Amy Pollock, Rose Pollock, Matthew Sturza, Samuel Sturza, Zachery Sturza and Richard Sturza.
What’s your fondest memory of Sherley?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sherley?
Share a story where Sherley's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sherley you’ll never forget.
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