SHERRY ANN MCLEAN

BANGOR – Our beloved Sherry passed away unexpectedly Sept. 17, 2005, at a local hospital from complications of kidney disease. She was born in Bangor Oct. 15, 1979, to Sheldon and Deborah (Corber) McLean. Growing up in Bangor, she attended local schools and participated in many youthful pursuits, joining the Brownies, taking gymnastics classes, playing the violin, attending basketball camp and spending summers at the family cottage on Pitcher Pond. She was an accomplished young dancer and for many years attended the Thomas School of Dance where she studied tap, ballet, and jazz. At age 16, after never being sick a day in her life and years of perfect and near-perfect attendance at school, she fell ill and was diagnosed with Goodpasture Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder which affects the kidneys and/or lungs. After an extensive course of treatment which included chemotheraphy, Sherry’s lungs recovered. But her kidney failure was permanent. For the next three years she remained on dialysis. During this time she obtained her learner’s permit and eventually her driver’s license and acquired the first of many cars – her favorite would always be her Mustang – these were a life-line to freedom for a young woman tied to a dialysis chair for several hours a week. Sherry also proudly marched at Bangor’s Adult Education graduation exercises in 1997, the same year of her original graduating class. In 1999, while a family member was undergoing a work-up to become a living kidney donor for Sherry, a cadaver kidney became available and Sherry was transplanted. She felt great, had more time for friends, drove her Mustang and eventually enrolled in the Law Enforcement Technology Program at Southern Maine Technical College. She was able to complete a few classes with honors before her health began to fail again. By 2003, she was back on dialysis where she would remain for the next two years. Recently she was told she was medically stable enough to be considered for another transplant but that the wait for a cadaver kidney would be several years. Once again the family member came forward and the work-up began. The doctor predicted that if all went well, she would have her new kidney by Christmas. In the meantime, Sherry began making arrangements to enroll in the Justice Studies Program at UMA in Bangor. Unfortunately, the many years of dialysis and the many side effects of not having a fully functioning kidney defeated her willing spirit. Sherry is survived by her parents, Deborah and Allan Pappas of Bangor; and Sheldon and Martha McLean of Lincolnville Center; grandmother, Mrs. John Thomas McLean of Milo; sister, Molly McLean of Portland, Ore.; brothers, Cassady Pappas of Bar Harbor and Christopher Pappas of Bangor; aunts and uncles include Linda and Robert Oliver of Arlington, Texas, David Corber of Fort Fairfield, Tom and Jennifer Pappas of Bucksport; cousins include John and Leticia Oliver and son, William, of Fort Worth, Texas, Stephanie and Andrew Page of Fort Fairfield, Emily Pappas and Alex Pappas of Bucksport. She is also survived by a great-aunt, Mrs. Cecil Timoney of Whitter, Calif.; step-grandmother, Mrs. Leona Pierpont of Rockland. Sherry enjoyed and appreciated life’s simple pleasures – cooking and experimenting with new recipes, tending to the family pets, watching “Law and Order,” shopping in Freeport, whale watching in Bar Harbor. During her last few months of life, she proclaimed herself a “mama’s girl” but she was so much more than a good daughter. She was a dear friend who showed compassion and sensitivity, strength and courage. Always spunky, she would stand up for herself and those she loved and her determination was daunting. Sherry’s family will observe her passing privately. There will be no calling hours or funeral service. If you wish to honor Sherry’s memory, please consider being an organ donor and giving the gift of life. Information about organ donation is available through the New England Organ Bank, 1-800-446-6362. Those interested in kidney donation may call Maine Transplant Program, 1-800-870-5230. From this valley they say you are going. I shall miss your blue eyes and bright smile, For you take with you all of the sunshine That has brightened my pathway a while.