Cheryl Ann "Sherry" Hill

Cheryl Ann “Sherry” Hill, 76, of Keyport, New Jersey passed away peacefully at home from a short illness on March 14, 2024.  Cheryl spent her entire life in Keyport and everyone in town knew her.  Cheryl graduated from Keyport High School, earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at Jersey City State College and her Master’s Degree in Education from Farleigh Dickinson University. 

After graduation, Cheryl was given the opportunity to teach in Hilo, Hawaii.  Cheryl eventually came back home and taught 2nd grade at Keyport Central School for 41 years, her true passion.  Miss Hill’s students adored her. She would begin her school year telling her students: “Some days you’re going to like me, some days you’re not.”  They always finished the school year crying because they didn’t want to leave.  Miss Hill incorporated her enthusiasm for volunteering and love of giving in many of her daily lesson plans.  She found great joy in making Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets during the holidays with her students.   Miss Hill’s students were best known for Potholder’s “R” Us donating all proceeds from their sales to The Sunshine House for children with cancer. Every child in her classroom held a position in the Potholders “R” Us business from purchasing to distribution. In her early years of teaching, she spent her summers as the Director of Keyport Recreation. 

Cheryl was passionate about giving back and teaching her family, friends, and students to do the same.  If anyone in town needed anything Miss Hill was always there. Cheryl was an active member of Keyport Kiwanis Club. She was the coordinator of the Keyport Food Pantry for many years which became the Keyport Food Ministerium.

Cheryl received many accolades throughout the years. She was named Person of the Year by Keyport Chamber of Commerce, the first non-chamber member to receive this honor.  She also received a similar recognition from the Keyport Elks Club.  Cheryl was recognized as Teacher of the Year and New Jersey Best Practice for Potholder’s “R” Us.  Cheryl volunteered with Rainbows (helping children cope with loss) and Juvenile Conference Committee, helping juvenile offenders with positive reinforcement and behavior modification. Cheryl’s greatest honor was being named Grand Marshall of the Keyport St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2007.

Cheryl is predeceased by her parents Donald A. Hill and Marion (Kelly) Hill. She is survived by her siblings Donna Devine (Newark, DE), Donald Hill and his wife Mary (Red Bank, NJ) and Mary Natarcola and her husband Paul (Newark, DE).  Her joy was her nieces and nephews – Brian “Murphy” Devine, Kelly Natarcola, Megan Devine, God Son Daniel Natarcola (deceased), Mary Natarcola and Jennifer Blanch (Rich “Sweetie”).  In addition, her great-nieces, and great-nephews; Dylan Natarcola (Ashley), Danny Natarcola, Nick Natarcola, Ryan Hockenbrock, Colin Hockenbrock, Joey Natarcola, Michael Rullo, Angelina Natarcola, Olivia Natarcola, Gianna Nicotra, Landon Fletcher, and Kaia Blanch.  Cheryl was also a loving God Mother to Karrie Jayne Johnson.  Cheryl was also a great mother to her fur babies Bailey, Macintosh, Duffy, Seamus, and Finnegan.

The family would like to thank Meridian Hospice Care and her care giver Portia, who helped care for her in her final days.  In lieu of flowers, please considering donating to your local food pantry or charity of your choice in honor of Cheryl.

In respect of Sherry’s wishes, she will be privately cremated.  Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial visitation on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Shore Point Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 3269 State Highway/Route 35 North, Hazlet, New Jersey 07730.  A prayer service will be offered on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, during the visitation hours at the funeral home by Pastor Matt Thiringer of Gethsemane Lutheran Church of Keyport, New Jersey.   For information, directions, or to send condolences to the family, please visit, www.shorepointfh.com.

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