Sherry L. Morgan, nee Dailey, 81, of Belleville, IL, born July 12, 1945, in Manchester, NH, died Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL.
When Sherry signed her daughters up for Girl Scouts, she could not have imagined that a simple decision would become one of the defining passions of her life. Over the years, Sherry gave the Girl Scouts more hours than anyone could count. From camping to crafting to singing and beyond she used every opportunity to show girls and volunteers alike what it truly means to be a Girl Scout. Her unwavering dedication earned her both the Volunteer of the Year Award (1989) and the Catholic St. Anne Award, the highest national recognition given to adults for outstanding service to Catholic youth through Girl Scouting.
Her passion eventually took her from volunteer to council employee, where she wore many hats throughout her professional Girl Scout career. Sherry facilitated programs that trained volunteers. She was a leader in the In-School Girl Scout program in East St. Louis. And she ran the legendary Girl Scout Cookie program a feat no ordinary person can take on!
Sherry will be remembered for her rare gift of creating fun, building traditions, and making memories. She brought the same imagination and energy into everything she did. From her 10+ years of ‘Leader’s Fun’ at her beloved Camp Butterfly, to a progressive dinner spanning 35 years, to letting her grandsons live by Grandma’s Rules, of which there were none.
She loved a good laugh. She once managed to convince adults familiar with the classic Snipe Hunt, to unknowingly participate in the same ruse, simply by renaming the game “Farkle Berries”. She sent glitter bombs to her grandsons, unintentionally traveled on an airplane with explosives (twice!), and lovingly exchanged intentionally hideous gifts with her best friend every year.
Sherry was endlessly creative. She made her kid’s Halloween costumes, decorated her home and never met a craft she didn’t try. Her talents seemed limitless from building a dollhouse (or three!), scrapbooking, card making, origami, sewing, quilting, embroidery, knitting, amigurumi, punch needle, batiking, stenciling, ceramics, stained glass, furniture refinishing, wreath making, leather crafts, watercolors, felting… The list could go on, seriously, we’re not kidding, the list could go on, we counted. You name it, she tried it. But the craft she loved the most was acrylic painting. Nearly every day Sherry spent hours painting. She may not have considered herself an artist, but her daughters certainly did. Her Mom Art will be treasured by her family for years to come.
When Sherry and Jim moved to Florida, she continued sharing her love of painting by teaching classes in their community. She found joy in many ways, participating in flea market competitions with her grandsons, gathering with friends for dinner, attending the theater, joining community theme nights at the clubhouse, and playing weekly games of Euchre. Each of these reflect Sherry’s gift for creating connections, friendships, and memories wherever she went.
Sherry had a gift for turning ordinary moments into cherished memories. Her creativity, kindness, and humor will be deeply missed and forever treasured by her family and all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James H. and Helen A., nee Rowlan, Dailey; and her brother, William Dailey.
Surviving are her tolerant husband of 58 years, James Morgan; three daughters, Jennifer Morgan, Lisa (William “Bill”) Hagen, and Katherine Morgan (Adam Jobin); two grandsons, William “Liam” Hagen and Oliver Hagen; her sister, Sister Suzanne Dailey S.P.; and nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois at www.gsofsi.org. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Private services were held.
