After 85 years filled with love, joy, and family, Sharon Lee Baines (Sherry) completed her earthly journey after a third brave bout with cancer on August 28, 2025, returning peacefully home. We know her irreplaceable presence as matriarch of a posterity of more than 100 will be felt through generations; including children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and their spouses. We also feel certain that she has been welcomed home by a corresponding large contingent of loving family who had passed on before her.

Sherry was born to Sebastian Nastase and Marjorie Henzie in part of the "Little Italy" in Omaha, Nebraska. Dealing with her parents' divorce when she was only 5, she felt the loneliness that comes with not being part of a larger family, something she strove to change for herself. Married at 18 years old, she was delighted to have seven children in the next 11 years. Her dedication to that family would become one of the many hallmarks of her life, especially as she dealt with her own divorce and worked as a single mom for ten years. It was at this time that she became converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was drawn to their emphasis on families, their importance in this life and the eternities. She saw the power and strength that came when husbands and wives were dedicated to each other and their children. She resolved that she wanted the same for her own family.

It was then, at 38 years old, that she met the love of her life, Frank Baines while working together at Kenny's Diner in Omaha. Theirs was a love story that over the next 47 years would inspire countless people with their unparalleled devotion to one another. They dated for four years before, in true sweetheart fashion, they eloped to Ohio. Sherry and Frank were famous for their caring, loyal, and passionate relationship, and after much patience and to her eternal joy, Frank was baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and then they were sealed in the Washington D.C. Temple for time and all eternity. They lived in Kentucky, Indiana, and Colorado before being drawn back to Omaha. Though it could have been anywhere and people would come, there with dedication and intention they created "The Best Nest," an incredible lakeside home that was synonymous with good food, fishing, friendship, and love where they stayed for the next 25 years. She made hosting her profession, and their large and extended family filled the Best Nest nearly each week. She would also visit to care for family in their own homes including elderly relatives who were still in the area. In 2021, they moved to Rexburg, ID, where they developed "The Best Nest of the West" and have continued to love on their family and friends here ever since.

Because of the difficult circumstances she grew up under, Sherry developed a great amount of chutzpah and determination to build a loving life for her family. She was like a steel butterfly, appearing petite and gentle, but inside was a core of absolute strength. Especially spiritually, Sherry had quiet strength shown in her consistent faith. She was secure in her knowledge of Jesus Christ as her Savior, and yet did not flaunt her firm obedience. She was always an example to others, passing on her faith to them through her own belief and actions. She was known for attending baptisms and giving grandchildren their first set of scriptures, always hand-inked with her testimony in the cover. Her favorite scripture was Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This scripture was not just a magnet on her fridge (although it was), it was in her soul. Her very nature was to trust in her Savior, making her faith like a spiritual umbrella to cover her home.

Often characterized as a tenacious domestic goddess, Sherry had family, food, and home central to her life. One of her favorite things was cooking; she was always good with a recipe, and because of her Sicilian heritage there were boundless delicious dishes and desserts. She made sure she fed everyone the best food until they couldn't eat another bite. Always modest about her own skill, she constantly sought out people's recipes and asked them to teach her how to make their own good food. Being in the kitchen was one of her favorite ways to spend time with the people she loved. She used this gift for more than just her family, often bringing meals and treats to those in the community as well. Her home also clearly demonstrated her love through the photos of family deliberately curated everywhere and full of the heirlooms of family already passed. Staying in her home always conveyed peace and comfort. Among her own posterity, she also showed her love through consistently sending out birthday cards, lovingly booby-trapped with a collection of glitter and confetti snuck inside. She treated everyone as the most important person, so much so that every grandchild knew that they absolutely were "Grandma's favorite."

Sherry was preceded in death by Sebastian Nastase and Marjorie Henzie (parents), Richard and Pat Nastase (brother and sister-in-law), Greg Clow (son), Gary Walker (son-in-law), James Walker (grandson), Wyatt McCammon (grandson), and Talmage Kugath (grandson). She leaves behind her adoring husband, Frank Baines; six children (Brett and Angie Clow, Christy and Jim Saufley, Kim Walker, Darrin Clow, Gary and Stacy Baines, Serena and Steve Kugath); 40 grandchildren; over 50 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Widely loved by her family, she also gave love freely to everyone around her, and to many she has been and will continue to be a beloved friend, not soon forgotten from our hearts.

Her beautiful life and memory will be memorialized with a viewing on Saturday, September 6, from 9:00–10:00 AM at the Mill Hollow Chapel, and her funeral will be held immediately following on the same day, Saturday at 10:30 AM, at the same location (Mill Hollow Chapel, 315 Gary Drive, Rexburg ID). Her interment will be directly after in the Sugar City Cemetery.

Services may be viewed: https://my.gather.app/remember/sharon-sherry-baines