Sherry Blackard

Sherry Olivia Shipley was born in Artesia, New Mexico, on March 29, 1948, to William Wade Shipley and Ruth Ross Shipley. She died 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. Sherry 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 Lovington, she met a young man visiting his brother who was a teacher at Lovington High School. Later in the 1970’s, 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 a while in Alma, Kansas, where Bert was a banker. To this union was born one son, Samuel E. Blackard.

In the fall of 1978, while seven months pregnant, they moved to Howard, Kansas, where Bert worked at the First National Bank, and Sherry worked at Greenwood County Hospital 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.

She 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 Navy during WW II, relaxing on beaches in Hawaii and Guam, house boating in Lake Powell, horseback riding in the Cimarron Mountains of New Mexico and many more.

Sherry retired from Mercy Hospital in 1996. After retirement, she enjoyed tending to her flower garden, watching the many birds, squirrels, and rabbits that frequented her back yard, 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 building 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 States. 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 2000’s.

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

Services will be held at The First United Methodist Church, Independence, Kansas, at 11:00 am on June 10, 2026. Private interment to follow. Memorials can be sent to A.W.O.L., 116 S. 23rd, Independence, Kansas 67301.