Sheryl D. Gustafson, 66, of Avon Park, Fla., formerly of Mayville, NY died unexpectedly June 16, 2012, in Florida.
She was born January 4, 1946 in Jamestown, N.Y. the daughter of the late William C. Dowd and Ruth Hurl Dowd. She was predeceased by her husband of 41 years, Richard Gustafson, whom she married November 22, 1965. She is survived by her daughters, Lori J. (Bill) Lisa of Fredonia, Lynda J. (Tony) Sheckles of Fennimore, Wis., Rebecca C. (Douglas) Bottomley of Fort Worth, Texas and her son LT. Cmdr. Richard C. (Glenda) Gustafson, Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.; granddaughters, Megan (Jesse) Sawyer- Sythe of Middletown, Conn., Aarika Ayrault of Buford, GA; Lauren Ayrault of Ripley, Adrianna Lisa of Fredonia, Kayla Sheckles of Fennimore, Wisc., Emily Bottomley of Richland Hills, TX; Stephanie Bottomley of Fort Worth, Texas and Sofia Gustafson of Jacksonville, Fla.; grandsons, Matthew Chapman of Mayville, Logan Sheckles of Fennimore, Wis., Andrew Bottomley of Fort Worth, Texas, Samuel Gustafson of Jacksonville, Fla.; step-granddaughters, Jackie Ayrault of Atlanta, Ga., Jessica Ayrault of Buford, Ga., and Amy Bottomley of Oshkosh, Wisc.; stepgrandsons, Dale and Bryan Bottomley of Oshkosh, Wis.; great-grandchildren, Emma and Jacob Sawyer of Middle-town, Conn., and Hayden, Cohen and Cameron Jones of Atlanta, GA; great grandsons Collin Sloan of Richland Hills, TX and Carter Bottomley of Oshkosh Wis.; two sisters, Kim (Jack) Smith of Jamestown and Ruth Kearney of Panama and sister-in-law Diane Dowd of Tacoma, WA; brother in-law and sister in-law, Al and Joan Gus-tafson of Jamestown; sister in-law, JoAnn Appleton; many nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her brother, William C. Dowd in 2011; granddaughter, Erin Elizabeth Ayrault in 1995; a step-grandson, Lawrence Vincent Ayrault in 2003 and grandson-in-law Stephen Sawyer in 2008.
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Sheryl D. Gustafson
Sheryl was a devoted mother and grandmother. Her many grandchildren affectionately called her "mema." As her family started to grow and move to various states she would call and sing songs over the phone to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, "You Are My Sunshine" and "I Love You A Bushel and A Peck" were some all-time favorites.
Sheryl, along with her husband, previously owned and operated Dick's Harbor House in Mayville, Four Seasons Family Restaurant in Westfield, and Four Seasons Family Restaurant in Dunkirk. She also had been employed by MRC Bearings in Falconer as an administrative assistant. She had many interests over the years which included; sewing, bingo, bowling, genealogy, and computers. She was a past member of the Hartfield Volunteer Fire Department, DAR, Genealogy Society and The Red Hat Society. Sheryl was a very giving person and donated her secretarial services to these organizations.
Calling hours will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday, June 22 at Freay Funeral Home in Mayville The funeral service will be held Saturday June 23rd at 2 p.m. at Freay Funeral Home
Rev. Cathy Smith will officiate. Burial will be in the Mayville Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to the Gustafson family, c/o Freay Funeral Home, 139 S. Erie St., Mayville, NY 14757 or a charity of one's choice.
