Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sherry moved to Montreal, Quebec, in 1960.

A long term resident of Montreal, she became interested in art as a hobby to pursue with her husband, Stuart Vallentgoed.  She started with oils in 1992 under Montreal artist Georgina Wrobel.  In 1993 she switched to watercolour under the helpful tutelage of Montreal artist Barry Lovegrove.  Since retiring and moving to their cottage on Bass Lake in 1996 she has received a Certificate of Fine Arts from St. Lawrence College painting under the watchful eyes of Marg Grothier and Henry Vyfinkel, and was honoured to join the Rideau Lakes Artists’ Association in 1997.

While she does not consider talent her long suit, painting has made her look at this world differently and appreciate the ordinary as extraordinary.