Sherri Ann Megna

Sherri Ann (Spitz) Megna passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at home on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 after a nearly two-year struggle with colon cancer.

She was born in Milwaukee on September 10, 1951 to Bert Spitz and Margaret (Martens) Nelson. Sherri grew up, the oldest of five, in Brown Deer Wisconsin.  Attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is where she met the love of her life and husband of 42 years, Richard Megna. They married on July 25^th, 1981.

Following her education in chemistry and teaching at UW-Milwaukee, Sherri began her teaching career at Cedarburg High School, and then after a move to Madison, continued teaching high school at Holy Name Seminary.  When her children were young, Sherri was a dedicated stay-at-home Mom, providing her two children an interesting and caring childhood.  When the children were older, Sherri began making art quilts and would attend art fairs to sell her quilts.  One of her quilts was accepted for display at the national quilt show held in Paducah, Kentucky.  As the children grew older, Sherri returned to full-time teaching at Middleton High School where she taught chemistry and biology.  After several years, Sherri transitioned from teaching high school to the new field of financial advising at Wisconsin Financial Group.  Eventually, Sherri opened her own office and business, Megna Financial, in Middleton, Wisconsin, and after her daughter finished her undergraduate degree, brought her into her business. Sherri continued her business and financial advising until retirement in 2020, at which time Katherine continued the business on her own. 

Sherri was an avid gardener.  She spent most of her free time in the spring and fall planning, planting, and cultivating her gardens.  Sherri loved sharing plants and trading garden tips with her neighbors and could easily spend a whole weekend toiling in her garden.  Sherri received many compliments on her gardens.  Sherri enjoyed watching the birds feed and fly through her gardens and had several bird feeders in both the front and back yard to attract them.  Being outside in her gardens also provided Sherri with the opportunity to see and converse with her neighbors which she loved to do.  Sometimes there was little gardening done due to a long conversation.   

Sherri also loved to cook and bake and read books on good nutrition and health.  Sherri’s interests also extended to many other areas as she enjoyed reading and learning in general.  Also, surprisingly, Sherri developed an interested in following the human stories about the players for Green Bay and UW football and enjoyed watching their games.

Sherri was very proud of her children who played collegiate soccer and went on to successful careers in electrical engineering and managing a financial planning business.  Sherri loved seeing and visiting with her children.  Sherri loved having three grandchildren and was thrilled to play with them and watch them grow and develop. Sherri was very sad that her illness would not allow her to see her grandchildren grow to teenagers and adults.

Sherri was blessed with a good number of brothers and sisters with lively personalities that provided enjoyable family gatherings.   Three of the siblings live in Madison or Milwaukee and one lives in California.  The sisters and brothers and their spouses remained close and provided great enjoyment to her throughout her life

Sherri will be deeply missed by her husband, Richard; son Tony; daughter, Kate (Laura); grandkids, Harry, Louisa and Gilbert; mother, Margaret Nelson; siblings, Barbara (Scott) Syring, Lorri (Sue Meyer) Spitz, Tom (Lisa) Spitz, Peter (Sue) Spitz; brothers-in-law, Robert (Anne Madigan) Megna and Jeff (Glenda) Megna; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Bert. 

The family extends a special thank you to Agrace Hospice Care for their care and support.

A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until noon on Sunday, August 6, 2023 at the Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Rd, Madison.  A Memorial service will be held immediately following the visitation.  After the service, a luncheon will be provided at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UW Carbone Cancer Center https://www.uwhealth.org/philanthropy and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin https://www.secondharvestsw.org/.

Please share your memories of Sherri here on her Tribute Wall.