Sylvia M. Sherwood

Sylvia Sherwood (Clukey) of Portland, Maine passed away on Thanksgiving November 27, 2025.

She was born in Waterville, Maine to Earl Edward and Rose Ouellette Clukey. She was the youngest of six children and grew up near her grandparents, uncles, aunts, and many friends. Sylvia shared early memories of Sunday gatherings after church at her grandparents’ home and many stories of skating, sledding, and going to the movies with her brothers and sisters. Sylvia loved being around family her entire life.

She attended Waterville High School and Thomas Business College before marrying Richard Kennedy Clifford and having 4 children. They lived in Shawmut, Maine. Upon Richard’s death (1969), the family moved to Yarmouth Maine. Sylvia was married to Gordon Sherwood for 47 years; he passed on Thanksgiving Day 2017. Together they enjoyed going to camp, boating, renovating property, socializing with friends and family, and traveling to Europe, South America, Canada, and throughout the United States, often for family events. They lived in Ohio and South Carolina before returning to Maine. Most recently, Sylvia lived at Ashton Gardens in Portland, where she made many new friends. Over the years, Sylvia worked for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and she was a realtor as well as co-owner of Gordon’s Deli and a small trucking business.

Sylvia was an adventurous person and “good sport.” She was an avid swimmer and enjoyed skiing, kayaking, hiking, and camping. She ran a 5K race in her 60s and did CrossFit in her 80s. She encouraged all her children and grandchildren to go to college and pursue various degrees. Sylvia believed that education was a gift and she was proud of her family’s accomplishments. To fulfill a lifelong dream and as a testament to her courage, she enrolled as a freshman at the University of Southern Maine in 2023, taking online and in person courses. She loved the students, faculty, and learning environment. She learned to use the computer and completed assignments with pride. One of her favorite assignments was to explore Maine history. She wrote a beautiful story about her mother who voted in the first election where women were allowed to vote. She planned to write more stories upon graduation (which she would have completed in May 2026).

Sylvia is survived by her children: Jeanne and Larry Stwarka; Jane and Mike O’Brien; Judy and Peter Cohn; Father Ed Clifford; stepson Jeff Sherwood.

She loved her grandchildren and their significant others: Michael Stwarka and Melonye Cleveland, David Stwarka and Shakira Botello, Jonathan and Megan Stwarka, Jennifer Cohn and Joshua Wills, Stephanie Cohn and Aaron Weber, Amy Cohn and Tim Shulga, Scott O’Brien, Alison O’Brien, and Molly O’Brien.

She adored her 3 great grandchildren Vivienne, Simon, and Lily Stwarka and looked forward to the arrival of Ori Clifford Wills (to be announced). Lorenzo Stwarka preceded her death.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her siblings – Shirley and Eudor Loubier, Martha and Rudolph Mahue; Earl and Gloria Clukey, Jimmy Clukey, Billy Clukey and many nieces and nephews.

She will be remembered by her nieces and nephews, family, and friends for her sense of humor, kindness, and homemade cookies.

Visiting Hours will be held from 4-6PM on Monday, December 1, 2025, at the Conroy-Tully Walker Cremation, Funeral and Gathering Center, 300 Allen Avenue, Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11AM on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at St. Martha’s Church, 30 Portland Road, Kennebunk with The Most Reverend James T. Ruggieri as Principal Celebrant. The Very Reverend Edward Clifford will be the Homilist. Interment will take place at a later date at St. Francis Cemetery in Waterville.