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Sheryl Ann Pacelli, 71, passed away August 4, 2022, in Wilmington, NC. She was born to George and Kathryn (Glass) Scott on August 10, 1950, in Mishawaka, IN. She is predeceased by her parents.

Survivors include her beloved husband of 27 years, Tom Pacelli, and cousins: Lynne Futter, Mark Futter (Jan), Rick Futter (Barb), Marcia Futter, and Lisa Futter Lanham (Don).

Sheryl, known to many as “Scotty”, was a loving, caring and compassionate wife. She loved dogs and was mother to her 4 legged daughters, Honey and Reba Faye. Sheryl loved her family, being with her friends, going out to dinner, playing cards, going to movies and the theater, playing and teaching Mah Jongg, as well as teaching line-dance at two Wilmington Area Senior Centers. Sheryl loved life and lived it to the fullest. She was also content to stay home and spend time with her husband Tom.

For 26 years Sheryl was the Director of Mental Health at Coastal AHEC now known as the South Eastern Area Health Education Center (SEAHEC). She was passionate about her job and her mission of providing continuing education programs for mental health professionals in Wilmington and surrounding counties.

Sheryl worked in the development, training and implementation of the ground-breaking Citizen Soldier pilot program, training medical professionals on the unique nature of the military experience. This program focused on how these experiences impacted the mental health of military personnel and their families to include assessing and identifying PTSD, clinical practice guidelines, and treatment interventions. It also provided medical personnel with a better understanding of, and how they could assist with, military health care coverage.

Sheryl was a very generous person, giving of her time and money to a variety of organizations. She volunteered at the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College. Sheryl was strong, courageous, decisive, and positively impacted many lives. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A celebration of life service will be held Tuesday, August 16, 2022, 2:00 PM, at Wilmington Chapel, 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington NC 28403 910.791.9099

To honor Sheryl’s memory, a contribution to Canines for Service, 221-1 Old Dairy Road, Wilmington, NC 28405, or you can donate on their website, www.caninesforservice.org would be appreciated.

Share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on the “Condolence” tab below.

August 15, 2022

A little over 6 years ago, I met Sheryl and Tom on the lanes at Cardinal Beach Bowl. I was new to the league and a relative stranger to most of the bowlers. From the beginning, both Sheryl and Tom were always kind and friendly to me at a time when most others said very little to me. I'll never forget that. Over time, I had the pleasure of bowling with the two of them while also learning about each of them. It was clear to me that Sheryl was an intelligent and diverse individual with several different interests, especially line dancing. But make no mistake about it, her BIGGEST interest of all was Tom. We didn't have long conversations; but, as time went on, it became commonplace for us to locate & greet each other in the bowling center at every bowling night. I don't know anyone who knew Sheryl and didn't like her. She was all love, and you couldn't meet a better person. For as sweet a person as she was, she was every bit as much a fighter, too. When she was fighting cancer, she showed nothing but true grit throughout the treatment all the way to remission. She resumed her line dancing and even returned to bowling, too! To see her back on the lanes after everything she had been through was an inspiration like few others. But that's just Sheryl! This year has been an incredibly challenging year physically and emotionally for both Sheryl & Tom. For Tom, who would do anything he could for the love of his life but being in a position where he could do very little for what Sheryl was going through. And for Sheryl, who had already had to endure her toughest challenge with cancer previously, was now faced with yet another challenge, it could lead many of us to ask, "How much more should one person have to endure?" I don't have the answer to that, but these things I know are true: For the last several years and in the fight of her life, Sheryl fought HARD, and her motivation to fight was ALL FOR TOM! I THINK GOD knew that Sheryl had used up all of her fight and he had to come get her. I TRUST GOD knows that heaven got a "Good One" & has already pointed her in the direction of the nearest line dance studio as well as the bowling alley & I THANK GOD for the opportunity to meet Sheryl and have her leave a positive impact on my life. While my heart is heavy as I write this, I tell everyone who says they're sorry about her loss to NOT to be sorry about her death but be THANKFUL for her life! Those we love don't go away ...They walk beside us every day...Unseen, unheard, but always near...Still loved, still missed and very dear!

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August 15, 2022

Sandy Jones says:

I always enjoyed sharing my love for Line Dancing with Sheryl at the Senior Center in Burgaw, NC. She impressed me always dancing with weights on her ankles. 😌
August 15, 2022

Emily Rivenbark says:

We are so saddened to hear this news. I was blessed to have the opportunity to teach with Sheryl on many occasions during our tenures at Coastal AHEC. She was a wonderful teacher, colleague and friend. Prayers for you, Tom, as you navigate these days. May your heart be filled with peace and beautiful memories.
August 15, 2022

Michael Diggs says:

A little over 6 years ago, I met Sheryl and Tom on the lanes at Cardinal Beach Bowl. I was new to the league and a relative stranger to most of the bowlers. From the beginning, both Sheryl and Tom were always kind and friendly to me at a time when most others said very little to me. I'll never forget that. Over time, I had the pleasure of bowling with the two of them while also learning about each of them. It was clear to me that Sheryl was an intelligent and diverse individual with several different interests, especially line dancing. But make no mistake about it, her BIGGEST interest of all was Tom. We didn't have long conversations; but, as time went on, it became commonplace for us to locate & greet each other in the bowling center at every bowling night. I don't know anyone who knew Sheryl and didn't like her. She was all love, and you couldn't meet a better person. For as sweet a person as she was, she was every bit as much a fighter, too. When she was fighting cancer, she showed nothing but true grit throughout the treatment all the way to remission. She resumed her line dancing and even returned to bowling, too! To see her back on the lanes after everything she had been through was an inspiration like few others. But that's just Sheryl! This year has been an incredibly challenging year physically and emotionally for both Sheryl & Tom. For Tom, who would do anything he could for the love of his life but being in a position where he could do very little for what Sheryl was going through. And for Sheryl, who had already had to endure her toughest challenge with cancer previously, was now faced with yet another challenge, it could lead many of us to ask, "How much more should one person have to endure?" I don't have the answer to that, but these things I know are true: For the last several years and in the fight of her life, Sheryl fought HARD, and her motivation to fight was ALL FOR TOM! I THINK GOD knew that Sheryl had used up all of her fight and he had to come get her. I TRUST GOD knows that heaven got a "Good One" & has already pointed her in the direction of the nearest line dance studio as well as the bowling alley & I THANK GOD for the opportunity to meet Sheryl and have her leave a positive impact on my life. While my heart is heavy as I write this, I tell everyone who says they're sorry about her loss to NOT to be sorry about her death but be THANKFUL for her life! Those we love don't go away ...They walk beside us every day...Unseen, unheard, but always near...Still loved, still missed and very dear!
August 15, 2022

Donna Murphrey says:

Tom, we are all so sorry to hear about Sheryl's passing. She was a special woman and all of us at Topsail Senior Center will not only miss her dancing but her smile! As coordinator, I counted it a privilege to work with her. Our deepest sympathy and prayers to you and your family.
August 10, 2022

Pat Johnson says:

Tom, I am so sorry to learn of the passing of your beautiful wife and my dear friend, Sheryl. I did not know how ill she had been, on and off over the last six months or so. I’m so terribly sorry! She was a good friend to everyone who knew her and for that friendship, I am very grateful. It was my honor and privilege to work with Sheryl at SEAHEC for a number of years. Everyone appreciated her vast knowledge over all aspects of mental health. And I will be praying for youTom! May Sheryl rest in peace.

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