In Memory of Sherri Blome

On December 12, 2025, the Nebraska Lifespan Respite Network lost its longest-serving respite coordinator and an unrivaled advocate for caregivers in Western Nebraska. Sherri Blome passed away after serving the Respite Network since its beginning in 2000. During Sherri's twenty-five years of service, she assisted hundreds of caregivers across the eleven counties of Nebraska's Panhandle. She was an invaluable resource for individuals with special health care needs and their families. As a respite coordinator, Sherri showed immense compassion, connecting caregivers with local respite providers who could offer relief and recuperation. Sherri proved to be a strong and tireless champion for respite recipients in her work with the Lifespan Respite Program. She diligently advocated for families in Western Nebraska and ensured the wellbeing of caregivers. Sherri forged trusting relationships with providers and expanded respite opportunities available to families in her area. Her dedication extended beyond the Western service area through the training and guidance she offered to respite coordinators throughout the rest of the state. She often referred to herself as the "Grandma of the Network," a role personified through her warmth, steadfastness, and broad expertise. Sherri will be remembered by her community as a voice for those with special health care needs and the families who make daily sacrifices to care for their loved ones. More than most, she embodied the heart of the Nebraska Lifespan Respite Network, and her legacy of compassion and advocacy for caregivers will endure in the lives of everyone she served.