Echo Sorbello

Echo Marie Sharon Sorbello passed away peacefully in her Davis home Tuesday morning, May 22, 2007. She went to be with her beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, and her favorite verse of scripture, the one she had asked her son to read to her often, was realized: "He will remove all of their sorrow, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever." (Revelation 21:4) Born Echo Alone Broome on April 14, 1928, to Carl William Broome and Winnifred Nelle (nee Blackketter), in Westville, OK, Sheri was the second of seven children. They moved often in the early years, living in Wisconsin, Texas, and homesteading an island in the Colorado River, before the family settled in Redlands, where her father built their home. A gifted gymnast, artist, dancer and horsewoman, Sheri would ride her horse only bareback, and usually barefoot. At the age of 17 she married Joseph Sorbello. They had three sons, Bob, Chuck and Dale. Sheri was a devoted mother to her three boys, and loved them unconditionally. Sheri said the best part of her life, however, was when her grandchildren arrived on the scene. Her grandchildren, too, consider her one of the highlights of their childhood. They laugh heartily when reminiscing about "Grandma Sweetpea": her famous gingerbread men and popcorn balls; flamboyant clothing, hair-dos, and makeup; playing "Boogie Woogie" with them on her piano; "jivin it up" on her saxophone; dancing around the room with her characteristic groove. When her first granddaughter was born, Sheri made her a tiny pair of tap shoes, calling them "Echo Tappers." She was known for telling her grandchildren, "Anything your little heart desires!" and "What could be better?!" A multi-talented woman, Sheri had trained and worked as a high-glamour hair-stylist in Hollywood and Las Vegas, and kept her cosmetology license current, long after an accident brought debilitating back pain which kept her from practicing. As a gifted artist and cartoonist, Sheri would draw cartoons on her correspondence, to the delight of her friends and family. Very musical, Sheri liked happy, toe-tapping tunes, boogie and jazz; she also played saxophone in a senior citizens jazz band. She enjoyed helping with stage make-up and the grandkids would beg her to practice on them. Sheri loved to learn and was proud of having some Native American heritage; in mid-life she decided to enroll in DQU, where she became probably their first blonde graduate! At DQU she re-embraced her childhood name of "Echo." With an unwavering faith in God, Sheri spent every ounce of her strength showing love to everyone around her. She had an uncanny way of making everyone with whom she came into contact feel treasured, possessing an extra special gift with children. Although she had few material possessions, Sheri was rich in the things that matter - love for God and love for people, a rich and ready laugh, a beaming smile, gratitude, generosity, and great and active compassion for those who were hurting or lonely. She enjoyed volunteering for the suicide prevention hotline, Head Start, and Loaves and Fishes, and visiting the home-bound. Sheri lost her precious baby sister Shirley to pneumonia when she was a child, and was later preceded in death by her parents and her older sister June Estopinal. She is survived by her brothers Herman and Edgar Broome (and his wife Mies), and sisters Doris Gilmour and Myrna Barstow. She leaves behind her three sons and their wives: Robert Jack (Heather), Samuel Charles (Pauline), and Dale Alan (Kimberly); nine grandchildren and their spouses: Robert (Pam), Sarah, Shiloh (Samantha), Jonathan (Jessica), Bethany (Richard Armstrong), Shanon, Nicholas, Grace, and Heidi; and two great-grandsons: Joseph Sorbello and Luke Armstrong. She also left behind many nieces and nephews who loved their "Auntie Sharon," and many dear friends. Sheri will be missed terribly. Yet we know that she is now rejoicing in heaven with her savior, finally free of pain and no doubt celebrating with her joyful, trademark "Whoopee!" A graveside service will be held Friday, June 1, 10 a.m., at the Davis Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Gideons International or World Vision.

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