BLACKARD, Sherry Olivia (Shipley) - b. March 29, 1948 - d. June 2, 2026

[patyrn]

Sherry Olivia Blackard was born in Artesia, New Mexico, on March 29, 1948 to William Wade and Ruth (Ross) Shipley. She passed away in Independence, Kansas on June 2, 2026.

Sherry grew up in the high plains of New Mexico where her father owned and operated an oil and gas pipeline company with her grandfather, Ray Ferguson.  Her parents divorced, and she split time between Lovington, New Mexico and Chappaqua, New York.  She graduated from high school in 1966 and attended the University of Oklahoma and later Kansas State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology.  She went on to get an advanced degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Kansas.

While attending high school in Lovinton, New Mexico, she met a young man visiting his brother who was a teacher at Lovington High School.  Later in the 1970s, their paths crossed again - this time while she was attending school at K-State.  That man was Bert D. Blackard.  They went on to marry on March 3, 1977 and lived for awhile in Alma, Kansas where Bert was a banker.  To this union was born one son, Samuel E. "Sam" Blackard.

In the fall of 1978 while seven months pregnant, the Blackards moved to Howard, Kansas where Bert worked at the First National Bank and Sherry worked at Greenwood County Hospital in Eureka, Kansas as a Physical Therapist.  They went on to enjoy 30 years of marriage while raising Sam.  In 1993, they moved to Independence, Kansas where she lived the rest of her life.  Although they later divorced, they enjoyed watching their family grow.

Sherry enjoyed traveling with her family and was able to have many amazing trips including cruising the Panama Canal, visiting South Pacific ports her father had patrolled as an Ensign in the United States Navy during World War II, relaxing on beaches in Hawaii and Guam, houseboating in Lake Powell, horseback riding in the Cimarron Mountains of New Mexico, and many more.

Sherry retired from Mercy Hospital in Independence, Kansas in 1996.  After retirement, she enjoyed tending to her flower garden, watching the many birds, squirrels, and rabbits that frequented her backyard, playing bridge with her friends, solving puzzles with her Rowdy Pals, and the newfound passion of crossword puzzle constructing.

Through crossword forums dedicated to solving puzzles, she learned how to build crossword puzzles that people around the world would go on to enjoy.  She would eventually construct and sell over 50 puzzles to the New York Times and other publications around the United Staters.  She is widely regarded as an inspiration to constructors and is known as a "constructor's hero" among fellow puzzle makers.  Reviews and retrospectives of her work emphasize her sharp wit, elegant engineering, and historic impact on crossword grid structure in the early 2000s.

Crosswords quickly took a backseat when her first grandchild, Drew, was born.  Lauren followed three years later, and she found a new purpose in life, enjoying being a grandmother and pouring her all into those two.  She treasured every moment with them, including Sunday family dinners, vacations to Hawaii, San Diego, New Mexico, and more.  Sherry even invented Jammies at Grammy's days while Sam and Mindy took time to themselves.

Sherry leaves behind to cherish her memory her son, Sam (Mindy) Blackard of Independence, Kansas; her brother, Bill (Julie) Shipley of Highland Park, Texas; and the joys of her life, her grandchildren, Drew and Lauren.  She loved them so. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth, and her father, Wade. 

Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 200 S. Pennsylvania, Independence, Kansas at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.  Private interment will follow.  Memorials can be sent to A.W.O.L Humane Society, 116 S. 23rd, Independence, Kansas 67301. Webb-Rodrick Funeral Home in Independence, Kansas has been entrusted with arrangements.

(taken from the Webb-Rodrick Funeral Home website)