MATT SHERRARD ~ Class of 1969
January 16, 1951 - May 14, 2007



Matt SHERRARD Died Monday, May 14, 2007, at North Haven Hospice in Whangarei, New Zealand.

He is survived by his wife, Annette Lanz of Kaeo, New Zealand, children, Justin Sherrard and Rose Sherrard of Seattle, step-daughter, Amy Lanz of Philadelphia, as well as his brothers and sisters, Karen ('67), Ann ('70), David ('71) and Dede.

Matt spent his life building homes and relationships. His latest project was the Mihenepua-Radar Hill Landcare Group in Northlands, New Zealand, devoted to the recovery of the Kiwi, New Zealand's national bird. Matt and his group developed a land care model that will be used throughout New Zealand.

A recent photo of Matt can be found in Neville Peat's book Kiwi, the People's Bird.

Matt was born in Schenectady, New York, the son of Raymond and Lea Matteson Sherrard and grew up in Richland, WA. He worked as a building contractor in Seattle until moving to New Zealand in 2001. Matt was a quiet person who expressed his love through his actions. In his final days he was incapacitated by spreading cancer but was cheerful, thankful, and generous with kind words and a welcoming smile.

There will be a Memorial Service at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 7th, at the Universel Church, 24105 19th Ave. SE, Bothell, WA, 98011, http://www.universel.org/.

Donations in Matt's memory can be made to North Haven Hospice in Whangarei, New Zealand or the Mihenepua-Radar Hill Landcare Group. Information is at: http://web.mac.com/shanonaf/iWeb/Site%203/Honoring%20Matt%20Sherrard.html, or any charity of your choice.

Published in print on 6/27/2007.

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