Sherry Fay O'Reilly

Sherry Fay O’Reilly, 77, of Geneseo, passed away at her home surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at St. Malachy Catholic Church, Geneseo.  Father Daniel Gifford will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, IL.  A Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory – Geneseo Chapel, with the visitation following from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org), 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Sherry was born on February 16, 1948, in Gary, Indiana, to Charles R. and Mary Fay (Leonard) McChesney.  She graduated from Wirt High School in 1966 and continued her education at Black Hawk College for two years.  Sherry was united in marriage to Jim O’Reilly at a service held at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Gary, IN, on September 14, 1968.  She was employed as a healthcare aide for many years.

A devoted member of St. Malachy Catholic Church, Sherry taught CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) classes at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, East Moline, and found joy in crafting beautiful rosaries. She enjoyed sewing and loved cheering on her grandchildren at their sporting events, theater performances, band concerts, and speech club activities.

An enthusiastic sports fan, she proudly supported the Chicago Bears and Cubs through thick and thin. Known for her generous spirit, Sherry took great pleasure in giving back to the community by donating to various charities.

Her life was filled with faith, family, creativity, and kindness.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Tracie (Randy) Dahl of Geneseo, and Sean (Kristin) O’Reilly of Shelby Township, MI; grandchildren, Sean O’Reilly, Natalie O’Reilly, Kyle O’Reilly, Jonathan (Hailey Barber) Dahl, and Jake (Courtney Allen) Dahl; sister-in-law, Delores O’Reilly; several cousins, nieces, and nephews, and best friend, Mary Leaser.

Sherry was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mary Fay McChesney; husband, Jim O’Reilly; uncle, Charlie Leonard; and brother-in-law, Dick O’Reilly.