Many of the regular visitors to What Did You Eat? have already heard the tragic news that this site's creator, Sherry Cermak, died on July 20, 2008 of a sudden heart attack. Sherry was part of two wonderful blogging communities. The food bloggers, which was the main topic of What Did You Eat?, and the cat bloggers where she posted updates on the lives of her cats and rescued wildlife (squirrels) on WCB. Sherry shared parts of her personal life on her blog, most recently her anemia and what she was cooking and eating to improve her blood count. She had started a new blog "My Battle with Anemia", but died before she could make the initial posting.
The response to Sherry's death has been overwhelming. So many of her friends and fellow bloggers have left messages of sympathy to her family and expressions of love and gratitude for how much they enjoyed reading her blog. Thank you to everyone who came to visit Sherry's site, whether you left a comment or not. Blogging was an important part of her life. It allowed her to write about the things she was passionate about -- good food, cooking, pets and wildlife. She enjoyed reading other blogger's sites and corresponding with them. She established a network of good friends, most whom she never met in person but was able to touch their lifes through her kindness, wisdom and thoughtful postings. Humor was a big part of Sherry's writings. She made many readers smile and laugh. We will all miss that very much.
Thanks to the wonderful food and cat blogging communities who gave their support. Bless all of you.
Those who wish to sign a remembrance guestbook online may do so at www.wiscombefuneral.com.
Sherry's husband, Bob
I can't even express how sorry I am about her sudden passing - her blog has been a joy to read/follow, and she will sorely be missed.
Posted by: VeggieGirl | July 23, 2008 at 11:09 AM
It's such a sad sad loss for the food blogging community.
Posted by: Mary | July 23, 2008 at 11:13 AM
I didn't know and I am so so very sorry to lose Sher. She was the first blog I ever discovered and I have enjoyed reading her immensely. My thoughts are with her family and friends. I will miss her.
Posted by: Emily | July 23, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Bob,
I'm so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies with you and your family.
I only "met" Sherry once. When I was hosting WHB last month and she sent me a very nice comment. I wish I had discovered her sooner.
Posted by: Wandering Chopsticks | July 23, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Dear Bob,
My family and I loved Sherry so much and we spent countless hours reading and thoroughly enjoying her life with food and dear cats. I hope there is comfort in knowing about all the joy she brought to others.
Thank you for the beautiful posting.
Hugs to you and Laura.
Marcia
Posted by: Cape Cod Kitty | July 23, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Bob,
I'm terribly sorry for your loss. I subscribe to Sherry's blog and am a faithful reader, though I have never met her. My condolences go out to you.
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 23, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Bob , my deepest sympathies to you and your surrounding family. Take all the comfort you can from them and hopefully they will help you to remember how Sher fondly touched each of your lives.
Posted by: Peter | July 23, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Bob, I'm so sorry for your loss. I wish I would have known about her blog before this.
Posted by: Amy | July 23, 2008 at 11:38 AM
I was shocked to open this blog today to learn about Sheery's death. I did not know Sherry except through this blog and I never ever left a comment here until now. I loved reading all her recipes, suggestions, and cat news and only wish I had said as much before now. My sincere condolences to you, Bob, on your loss.
Nat Hurley
Posted by: Nat Hurley | July 23, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Hello Bob, I was so saddened to hear the news of Sherry's death. I've been following her blog for years now, always finding inspiration in her posts and recipes. I'm in Carmichael, not too far away from Davis and had really hoped to meet Sher. I'm so sorry for your and your family's loss.
Posted by: Elise | July 23, 2008 at 12:06 PM
I can't believe this and am sitting here is shock! I wasn't a part of either group she belonged to but started reading her when we both joined a 'centerpiece' group. I have been reading her ever since and noticed how often she came to visit me as well. My word I don't even know what to say. I am so so sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Joy T. | July 23, 2008 at 12:27 PM
I'm so sorry to hear this. Sher had a delightful presence in both the food blogging and cat blogging communities. I hope that she and Upsie are having a good cuddle now.
Posted by: Zazzy | July 23, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Bob,
I am sorry for your loss. I lurked on Sherry's site for over a year. I loved her Cat blogging and ended up getting a kitten of my own - Sherry inspired me! We signed in often to see what Laura was up to...and to see her cute picture. We also found much joy out of the squirrels.
Sherry will sure be missed. Please know that I have been touched by her through this blog...in Nashville, TN. Long Live What Did you Eat.
Posted by: Jill | July 23, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Bob
What a shock it was to read your post today. I am very sorry, my condolences to you and your family and friends. I have been reading Sher's blog for quite some time and many of her recipes have become family favourites....her Minnesota Wild Rice soup is definitely the first one that comes to mind. It was kind of you to inform all of Sher's readers of the tragedy. Please keep well.
Posted by: porter | July 23, 2008 at 01:13 PM
That's terrible news. She was a great food writer and animal lover.
Posted by: Rufus | July 23, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Thanks for giving us this final glimpse of Sher. I cannot even imagine how painful it was to use the blog she loved so much as a vehicle to convey this kind of news. I think we will never have any idea of just how many lives she touched.
My hope is that you will keep the blog online, as a memorial to her creative approach for cooking and her wonderful zest for life. I can't imagine how sad it would feel to someday click on a link to her blog and have nothing there.
My best to all of Sher's family at this difficult time.
Posted by: Kalyn | July 23, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Thank you for finding the strength to announce this here, Bob.
I am so sorry.
Posted by: cookiecrumb | July 23, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Thanks, Bob. Our love, thoughts, and prayers are with you and her family.
Posted by: Glenna | July 23, 2008 at 01:34 PM
My sympathies to you, Bob. I really enjoyed Sherry's blog.
Posted by: Rebeca | July 23, 2008 at 02:04 PM
I'm crying so hard, I can barely type this. I can't believe it. I still have the last email I got from her in June sitting in my inbox. I've been following her blog and chatting with her since its inception. I was going to try and visit her this year even. Oh my god. Bob, I'm so terribly sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Shannon | July 23, 2008 at 02:43 PM
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WONDERFUL MESSAGES
I TOO. WILL MISS HER VERY MUCH, SHE WAS ALWAYS
VERY KIND AND GOOD TO ME.
MARGARET (Bunty) CERMAK
(Mother-in-Law)
Posted by: Bunty | July 23, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Bob, thanks for posting this tribute to Sher. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Posted by: Cakelaw | July 23, 2008 at 04:32 PM
Bob, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. She will be so missed. Sher was a warm thoughtful presence, I thought of her as a "neighbor" and a friend.
Posted by: Callipygia | July 23, 2008 at 05:03 PM
I'm so sorry for your grief. I made her shrimp and crab gumbo for a Christmas dinner party last year and started a tradition... I will think of you and her again this year.
Posted by: kate | July 23, 2008 at 06:10 PM
I am so sorry to hear of Sherry's passing. I hope it gives you comfort to know that her memory will live on in all of our kitchens for years to come. I won't be able to make her Corn Chowder (my absolute favorite) without thinking of her.
Posted by: T | July 23, 2008 at 06:35 PM
Oh I am so sorry for your loss! I have been reading her blog for about 2 years - I feel like I knew her. God Bless you and give you strength.
Posted by: April | July 23, 2008 at 07:12 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss. While I didn't know Sherry and had never read her blog, my heart goes out to her family. Blogging has been an amazing part of my life and I only wish I had time to discover all the other wonderful bloggers out there. I'm sorry I never got to *know* Sherry through her blog, but it's obvious she touched many lives.
Posted by: The Home Cook | July 23, 2008 at 07:54 PM
GASP. Oh Bob, I am so so sorry for your loss. Sherrys spirit and her love for animals just shined through this blog. My deepest condolences...
Emily
Posted by: Emily | July 23, 2008 at 07:59 PM
I'm so sorry about your loss.
Sherry was somebody who inspired me and enlightened my weeks through her wonderful blog. I'm already missing her!
In thoughts with you,
Rosa
Posted by: Rosa | July 23, 2008 at 09:10 PM
I am so sorry I never got to "know" her. But her blogging is still a wonderful gift to us all.
All the best to you, Bob.
Maggie
Posted by: Maggie | July 23, 2008 at 09:21 PM