Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

St. Martin’s Lutheran Church

Debra Ellen Sherwood, 67, a 34-year resident of Annapolis, MD, died on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Anne Arundel Medical Center.

She was born to the late Nick and Alma Himmel on October 16, 1956, in Yale, MI, and raised on her family farm in Brown City, MI. Debra put herself through college, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University in 1978 ("Fire up Chips!"). During this time she worked as an RA, council officer, and mentor for freshman orientation. Debra also showed Chippewa spirit as a team cheerleader. 

She was a flight attendant for American Airlines from 1980 to 2020, with a furlough period from 1981 to 1983; during which Debra worked at NASA, Houston. Throughout her career with American Airlines, Debra was based in Chicago, Dallas, Washington, DC, and Miami, gaining extensive experience serving on both domestic and international flight routes. 

She was a member of the Bay Winds Band, Benfield Pops Band, the Eastport Yacht Club, and the Annapolis Dragon Boat Club. Debra enjoyed playing the trumpet, gardening, attending her book club, boating, and hiking. Her Dragon Boat experience took her to two international competitions in the US and Italy. Hiking experience included the Appalachian Trail and completing the Camino de Santiago in Spain. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family and granddogs (Stout and Levi). Together, they spent time boating the Intracoastal Waterway, and exploring cenotes, caves, and pyramids in Mexico.

In addition to her parents, Debra was preceded in death by a sister, Beverly Himmel.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 34 years, Michael Sherwood; two children, Jeffrey (Kimberly) of Providence, RI, and Ellen of Annapolis, MD and three siblings, Nick (Sharon) of Elkton, MI, Leslie of Grand Rapids, MI, and Susan of Portage, MI.

Friends are invited to celebrate Debra's life on Friday, September 27, 2024, from 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 28 at 11 am at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, 1120 Spa Road, Annapolis, MD. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

**Please note flowers may be sent to Kalas for the viewing but not to the church.**

Online condolences and tributes may be made using the memories link on this page.

Debra Sherwood

Debra Sherwood

Debra Sherwood Services

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