PENDLETON
Sherry Boram (née Rencenberger) passed away on November 23, 2023 surrounded by her loving family, the sounds of a Bach aria, and the smells of Thanksgiving dinner cooking in the ovens. She was the second daughter of Florence and Richard Rencenberger and was born April 25, 1939 in Richmond, Indiana. She grew up in Pendleton and attended Ball State Teachers College before marrying Larry E. Boram, also of Pendleton, on June 29, 1958. They built their home on North Pendleton Avenue in 1961 and in 2002 they added an art studio and a woodshop. She had a curious and creative mind and an incredible eye for detail. She was an award-winning fiber artist and played piano, flute, piccolo and violin. For sixteen years she taught piano from the family home to countless Pendleton residents. She also worked as a color and image consultant for many years and helped clients find the colors and styles that best suited them. She played in the Pendleton Festival Symphony Orchestra, judged technical sewing for 4H statewide, and was also involved in both the PTA and Girl Scouts. She loved her community and for several years served on the Pendleton Library board and the Pendleton Park board. In the late 1970’s she and her husband Larry made the redwood park benches at the corner of Water Street and Pendleton Avenue and made the decorative signs that welcomed visitors to town. They built furniture for the Pendleton Historical Museum, and many of the family heirlooms from her parents have been donated to the museum exhibits. Sherry excelled in every creative endeavor she encountered, wrote poetry, and traveled to all 50 states and several countries. She was renowned for her art quilts and fiber art pieces which have traveled all over the world and are included in museum collections as well as several books and publications. In 2014 Sherry, Larry, and several other artists founded the Pendleton Artists Society with gallery and classroom space on State Street.
She is survived by Larry Boram, her husband of 65 years, her daughters, Leigh and Lori Boram, her granddaughter, Kristen Krueger, her sister Joan Kerfoot, nephew Greg Kerfoot, Daniel, Sara, and Peter Kerfoot, niece Karen Salee, Danica Ghosal, Gerald and Laura Lee Boram, Merle and Connie Boram, Stanley and Sue Boram, and extended family members.
A memorial service will be held TBD and in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Gallery 119 Pendleton Artists Society at 119 W State St., Pendleton, IN 46064 or the International Quilt Museum at 1523 N. 33rd St., Lincoln, NE 68583 or at www.internationalquiltmuseum.
Sherry died following a 6 month battle with an aggressive malignant brain tumor known as glioblastoma. While heartbroken, her family is glad to have been able to care for her at home until her final moments, per her wishes. To quote one of her striking quilts:
I am loved
I am safe
All is well.
Arrangements entrusted to Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service and Crematory, Lahm Chapel, Pendleton.
Online condolences available at www.stpierrefamilyfuneral.com