Sherrie L. Cox

On Monday, March 4th, 2024, Sherrie Lynn Cox, age 65, of Denver Colorado, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer.  She is survived by her children, Maria Stafford, Linda Minkoff; her stepchildren, Kenny Vigil, Alejandro Vigil, and Sara Vigil, predeceased by her husband Donald Vigil and stepson Lucas Vigil. She is also survived by her siblings Candice Still, Michele Eifrid, Lynnette St. John and Julie Sylvain and predeceased by Andrea Cox.  Sherrie leaves behind nine grandkids: Favi Stafford, Olivia Stafford, Hazel Minkoff, Miles Minkoff, Analisa Montoya, Joe Perez Jr, Tony Uribe, Audrina Vigil and Donavin Vigil. 

Sherrie Lynn Cox was born on September 17^th, 1958, to parents Johnnie Cox and Shirely Cox (Peters) in Denver Colorado. Sherrie was the middle child with 7 siblings. Her father was in the military and although she was born in Denver, she also lived in Connecticut and Florida for a short period during her childhood. Sherrie attended East High School in Denver.

She met her first husband, Archie Abeyta in 1975, they spent many years together and had two children Maria & Linda who she considered her greatest accomplishments.

Sherrie worked as a CNA at a number of facilities but spent most of her time at Presbyterian St. Lukes where she formed many great friendships with women who were considered friends until the end. She also worked with many Alzheimer patients over the years and had some really great stories to share with her families about her patients and how much she loved them all.  Sherrie was also an avid lover of animals; her beloved dogs, Honey Bear and Joey, were always by her side.

Sherrie met her second husband, Don Vigil, in 1995. They shared a life together and blended their families until his passing in 2016.

Sherrie loved to spend time making her yard look beautiful. She loved fresh flowers, enjoyed having a small vegetable garden and loved soaking up the sun on her patio with her animals sitting right beside her. She enjoyed camping, fishing, road trips and her favorite place in the world was Taos, New Mexico. Shortly before she got sick, she booked herself a 10-day cruise to the Hawaiian Islands. Although she wasn’t feeling the best her family was so proud of her for going on such an amazing adventure by herself.

Sherrie was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of lung cancer at the end of December 2022. She chose to fight cancer and spent 6 months doing chemotherapy and radiation. She then spent another 6 months of monthly infusions to help keep the cancer cells from growing. Unfortunately, in December of 2023 she received the news that her cancer spread to her brain. This diagnosis, although shocking, didn’t deter her, she still wanted to fight. She was scheduled for 5 brain radiation treatments. She completed 3 of them and it was then that we received the news that the cancer was back in her lungs and her chance of survival was low. Her doctors encouraged her to discontinue the 2 remaining brain radiation treatments and spend time with her friends and family during the remaining time she had left.

Family and friends stepped up and her remaining time was spent enjoying their company, sharing donuts and coffee, small road trips to her favorite places, fresh flowers every week, many many many frosties from Wendy’s. Until the end Sherrie was independent and living by herself. She fought a courageous battle with her family beside her but she did it on her own terms, it was very important for her to remain independent and she was until the end.

Sherrie will be greatly missed by her friends and family. Her biggest fear of passing was not being able to see her grandchildren grow up but her legacy will continue with them with every fresh flower smelled, every delicious meal shared, every story told, and every butterfly seen in the sky.

A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 11:00AM, followed by a reception for Sherrie on Friday, March 15th, at Horan & McConaty (1091 S. Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO). 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Newcomers Fund with the Rose Community Foundation or the South Denver & Aurora Migrant Support Group or to the Denver Dumb Friends League, in Sherrie's memory.