Sherry Ann Giannini, 74, passed away May 7, 2017 at her home in Waitsburg, WA. Sherry was born to Ralph L. White & Janet White-Blewett in Portland, OR on January 10, 1943. She had been a resident of the area for 22 years after her move from Eureka, CA. Sherry graduated with a BA from Evergreen College. She met and later married Sebastian Giannini on May 11, 2002 in College Place, WA.
Known to her co-workers and clients as ‘Annie’, Sherry Giannini was both an advocate and warrior for the health and welfare of new moms and babies; especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, whether financial or otherwise. She proudly called her clients ‘her girls’ and took a personal interest in every one of them, and their babies. Being a young teenage parent herself, Annie was acutely aware of struggles of young parenthood.
But unlike many of her clients she often said she was blessed with enduring family support. As a result, Annie found her calling as a social worker, working almost exclusively with young moms, some with exceptional challenges, such as substance or physical abuse. Both in Eureka, California and in Walla Walla, she endeavored to help those who needed help, regardless of color or creed. Until her retirement in 2007, she worked at St. Mary Medical Center as a social worker, involved almost exclusively with The First Steps Program. She had a long lineage of clients that remembered her from years past, going out of their way to say thank you for all you did for me and my family. As her dementia advanced, she often wouldn’t remember them but she would never let on. Though she may not have remembered them, they remembered her. She was blessed with compassion, understanding, loyalty and most of all, a listening heart. I was honored to be her husband and will miss her like breath itself.
Sherry is survived by her husband Sebastian Giannini, daughter Stephanie Ramer, two sons; Brad Swain, Ryan Reynoldson, brother Phil White, seven grandchildren; Derek, Kyle, Erin, Nolan Swain, Daniel Ramer, Rachelle Tiner, three great-grandchildren; Evi, Avi-Grace, Colin Tiner, nephew Greg Thomson, nieces; Jennifer Thomson, Deena Suitor, Andrea Jasso, Darece Saca. She is preceded in death by her parents and sister Lorene Thomson.
Our family is celebrating Annie’s life, from 1 PM to 4 PM on Sunday, May 21, 2017, at 121 W 7th St. in Waitsburg, WA. All are welcome to come and share in fellowship in honor of this wonderful lady.
Memorial contributions may be made to Walla Walla Community Hospice in care of Mountain View-Colonial DeWitt, 1551 The Dalles Military Road, Walla Walla, WA 99362.