Deborah Ann Sherwood

Deborah Sherwood, a beloved wife, mother, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep in Sierra Vista, AZ on December 15th, 2024, at the age of 72. Debbie was born on January 3rd, 1952, at the U.S. Army Hospital at Fort Riley, Kansas to Henry and Ann Walczyk.

Growing up as part of a military family, she lived in many places before settling in Sierra Vista, AZ, in 1968. There, she graduated from Buena High School and then went on to earn her Bachelors and then a Masters in Education from Arizona State University. Debbie returned to Sierra Vista to build her life, raise a family, and share her gift for teaching. While working as a second-grade teacher at Colonel Johnston Elementary School on Ft. Huachuca, Debbie met the love of her life, Ward Sherwood, a school psychologist. Their shared dedication to helping children and their deep affection for one another led to their marriage in 1983.

Together, they bought a plot of land and then built a home and family filled with love and laughter, welcoming three children: Jennifer, Jonathan, and Matthew.

Debbie had a remarkable 34-year teaching career at the Ft. Huachuca Accommodation Schools. After retiring she continued to educate children for an additional 12 years as a substitute teacher. During her tenure of teaching, she nurtured over a thousand young lives with her kindness, patience, and passion for education. Her legacy lives on in the countless students she inspired. Outside of the classroom, Debbie loved to bake and decorate cakes for her kids, had a green thumb for houseplants, and was the absolute best at making spaghetti sauce which the family enjoyed each Thursday evening. She loved playing board games with her kids, hosting movie days with her teacher friends, and doting on her beloved Maltese puppies.

Debbie is survived by her devoted husband of 41 years, Ward (73); her loving children, Jennifer (38), Jonathan (36), and Matthew (31); her two younger brothers, Henry and Robert, and last but certainly not least, her Maltese dog named Poppy (6).

Deborah’s warmth, kindness, and love will be celebrated at a gathering in the coming weeks.

We will notify friends and family as soon as details are available.

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