Sherri Gordon’s Memory Bears Bring Comfort To Many

Handmade, stuffed comfort animals on the back deck lid of a C4 Corvette — Sherri Gordon – Memory Bear Maker

Coping with the loss of a spouse, family member, or close friend is one of the most demanding challenges many of us will ever face. Of course, everyone reacts differently to profound loss, but the heartache felt is universal.

Stuffed comfort animals can provide a needed connection to a passed loved one. They give us a tangible way of keeping their memory alive.

Sherri Gordon, the maker of memory bears, knows all too well the lingering heartache caused by loss. So she treasures the Daddy Bear she created to ease the sorrow of her Dad’s passing.

To help others, Sherri has developed the “Memories by Sherri” assortment that includes bears, dogs, rabbits, pillows, and hot pads (newly added).

We first met Sherri while researching “Savoy Museum Celebrates The Artistic Expression Of The Automobile.” Once we heard her story and experienced her kind heart, we knew her story needed to be shared.

Special thanks to Sandy, a good friend of Sherri and the owner of this beautiful 1994 Arctic White convertible. Sandy’s freshly detailed Corvette made the perfect backdrop for the photos.

What follows is an edited transcript of our conversation.

Stuffed comfort animals at the front bumper of a 1994 Arctic White Corvette

Over 300 Bears And Counting

Rod Worley – Editor – What prompted you to start making the memory bears, and when did it become a business?

Sherri Gordon – Well, I started doing the bears in December 2019. Since then, I’ve made about 300 bears.

In the beginning, I made them for friends and relatives to help ease the loss of loved ones. The business started after giving two memory bears to a friend back in December 2019.

Another friend, who had just lost her Dad, saw them. She asked if I could make 14 bears for his grandchildren. From there, the demand and the business just grew.

Rod Worley – Editor – Your creations have a timeless look about them. Why did you choose this bear pattern?

Sherri Gordon – As you might imagine, several bear options are available. The pattern I use is called the Chipper Bear.

And he seems to be a perfect size.

He looks the most like a real bear, in my opinion. But, he’s not too big and just the perfect size for taking with you on trips.

I’ve carried one on trips because I just felt better having one with me.

Stuffed handmade comfort animals on a c4 1994 Corvette convertible

Quality Construction

Rod Worley – Editor – It’s easy to see how much you care about the construction of each bear. How long does it take you to make them?

Sherri Gordon – Well, thank you. I understand how vital these bears are in the healing process. There’s something about memory bears that brings love and peace.

Altogether, it takes me about four hours because of the various steps involved.

I take my time because these are no ordinary stuffed animals. Instead, the bears are custom-made with clothing that belonged to the person who died.

My first step is to put pellon on the back of the fabric to stabilize it. Next comes tracing the pattern and cutting it out, followed by other assembly steps.

I always use special safety buttons for the eyes and nose that won’t pull off the fabric. This critical feature makes the animals child-friendly.

And yes, as you might imagine, JoAnn Fabrics and I are close because I get all my supplies there.

Rod Worley – Editor – Can you personalize the bears? Are there plans to expand the line to other animals?

Sherri Gordon – Fortunately, I also do machine embroidery. So there is available personalization.

In a couple of instances, people have given me the ashes of their deceased family member to put close to the bear’s heart. Other times, I’ve put a device inside that has a recording of their loved one’s voice.

I’ve started expanding the line by adding other animals. For instance, I’m making rabbits for Easter baskets and comfort dogs.

In the case of a dog, I take their blanket or bedding to make the comfort animal.

Stuffed comfort animals inside a red interior 1994 Corvette

Daddy Bear Brings Comfort

Rod Worley – Editor – Do you have a bear that you’ve made to help yourself through a tough time?

Sherri Gordon – One of the bears in today’s photoshoot was one I call Daddy Bear. He was made from one of my deceased Dad’s flannel shirts.

I’ll always have that bear with me because I think of him when I see the bear’s flannel shirt.

It’s a way to keep his memory alive, to keep him near me. The bear is something I can physically hold on to, and that’s so comforting.

Rod Worley – Editor – Sherri, it has to be so rewarding knowing your memory bears are helping people deal with their grief caused by the passing of a loved one.

Sherri Gordon – Yes, it is Rod. Often, relief comes across their face when they can hold the memory bear up close.

In many ways, it’s like there is a completion, a sense of peace because they actually have something they can hold tight and never let go.