06/19/2023

Obituary for Sherri Ann DiPietro

Employee of DeJohn Funeral Home

SHERRI ANN DIPIETRO (nee O’Connell) age 59;  It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Sherri DiPietro (aka The Rainbow Bridge Pet Escort) on June 14, 2023. Sherri leaves behind her daughter, Gianna Marie (fiancé Dakota Dudman) and dogs Lola and Diesel. Also left to mourn include her parents Richard D. and JoAnn (nee Fratantonio) O’Connell, siblings Richard “Rick” M. (Diana) O’Connell and Kelly (Byron) Wasko, and significant partner James Robel. Nephews include Nick and Alex Wasko, Sam O’Connell and Max Thomas, special niece of Uncle Sam (Debbie) Fratantonio. Her former husband was Angelo DiPietro. Sherri was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Sam and Josephine Fratantonio and paternal grandparents Harry and Marie O’Connell and Uncle James O’Connell.

Sherri was educated in the Mayfield School System and graduated with honors in 1981. She found her niche in life working and making people feel good. Her early employment was at the Front Row Theater as a concierge for the entertainers that performed at the venue. It was not unusual to see the Front Row limousine parked in our driveway on Sunday afternoons. Occasionally she invited some of the entertainers over for homemade Italian dinners prepared by her mother (JoAnn).

Later in her career, she came upon employment with The DeJohn Funeral Home in their Pet Services department. Sherri was instrumental in helping establish and grow the unique service. Sherri also met her beloved and devoted partner, Jim, through her work. She would receive letters from clients who were so appreciative for the way she handled their beloved pets (samples of these letters are on the DeJohn Pet Services Facebook page and all the 5-Star Google reviews she was so proud of).

Sherri had a long fight that started in February of 2022. We know how hard you fought and the discomfort you endured. We are thankful that you’re now pain free and at peace. Your family loves you so much and will miss you every day.

Love, Mom and Dad

Sherri was born June 19, 1963 (yes, as she would have wanted, 5 days short of turning 60) and spent her life living in the Highland Hts. and Chesterland communities. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, taking walks, riding motorcycles, and caring for animals as well as their pet parents on their journey of grief. Sherri’s most joy was being together with family, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas. She was a creative, free-spirited person who always knew how to get the answer she wanted to hear. Most would say she was a perfectionist, sometimes with a stubborn streak, yet truly kind and compassionate, loving, spontaneous, selfless, and always there for anyone. Sherri had the smile of an angel and could make others laugh just by being herself.

Contributions can be made in Sherri’s name by CLICKING HERE to donate Treasured Memories for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and Stewart’s Caring Place. Cremation by DeJohn Crematory. A Celebration of Sherri’s Life for family, friends, pet parents, and 4-legged friends will  be held later in the summer.