BRUNSWICK — Sherry Dian Robbins Thacker passed away unexpectedly on October 6th, 2012 in Walterboro, South Carolina while on her annual trip to their vacation home in Florida. Sherry just celebrated her seventieth Birthday on September 23rd, and her fiftieth Wedding Anniversary on September 1st, 2012. Her family is grateful to have been able to celebrate such wonderful milestones before her passing.

Born September 23rd, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee to parents: Lonnie & Ruth Robbins. She was joined later by younger brother Eddie Robbins, and enjoyed a large traditional southern family and upbringing. Much of her youth revolved around her love for St. Luke’s Methodist Church in Memphis, and its many programs and activities. After graduating from Messick High School in 1960, Sherry started her college career at Memphis State University and joined the Gamma Phi Beta sorority there.

Upon marrying her husband, Richard Thacker, on September 1st, 1962 they both went on to finish their degrees at Purdue University. Sherry graduated with a degree in Elementary Education, and continued to pursue teaching for the next twenty plus years, focusing mainly on third grade. During her teaching career she also finished a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, focusing on reading development.

Her husband’s military career saw Sherry relocate many times across the United States from California to Florida and even for a time in Iceland. For all her Southern upbringing, Maine, and its idealic living conditions and scenery, drew Sherry and Rick to call it home. Establishing their roots in Brunswick’s First Parish Church and community cemented a permanent home for them both.

With these new roots established Sherry and Rick decided to become entrepreneurs, and opened several successful Arby’s Franchises in Maine. Hard work and an eye for business gave Sherry the opportunity to be involved in civic matters close to her heart, such as: serving on the Arby’s Big Brothers/Big Sisters scholarship selection committee, serving on the board for the Friends of the Cobbosee Watershed, vigorous support for the Purdue Alumni Association, and she also enjoyed the West Charlotte County Republican Club.

Having been an avid artist in her younger years, she appreciated beauty in the arts and celebrated nature’s beauty with her hobby of collecting seashells and sea glass. Sherry is survived by: Husband, Richard L. Thacker; son, Richard, Jr, wife, Stephanie and children, Lauren and Adam; Son, Christopher E., wife, Hailey and children, Harrison and Alden; Brother, L. Edward Robbins, wife, Barbara and daughter Laurie Susan.

A viewing will be Thursday October 18th from 5-7pm at Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal Street, Brunswick, Maine. The funeral service will be Friday October 19th at 2pm in the First Parish Church in Brunswick, where a reception will follow in the church vestry. Sherry will be interred at the Riverside Cemetery in Brunswick. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local Big Brother/Big Sisters Chapter.

“Thank you to all the people who touched her life, she enjoyed exploring the world and truly never met a stranger.” Condolences can be expressed to the family at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.


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