RAPID CITY- Sherry Massa, 71, of Rapid City, SD died Thursday November 21, 2013. She fought a brave battle against pancreatic cancer over the past year. She died peacefully with her family at her side from complications related to this disease. She was born December 3, 1941, in Manchester, SD, to Floyd and Olive Moore. She attended high school in DeSmet, SD. She earned her teaching degree from South Dakota State University, Brookings. SD. She began her career as a physical education teacher in Buchanan, MI. In 1964 she married Joseph Massa. They moved to Los Angeles, CA, where she continued to teach. She gave birth to the first of four children while living in California. In 1968, the couple moved to Vermillion, SD, where she taught at St. Agnes Catholic School, and brought three more children into the world. The family moved to Rapid City, in 1979. In October 1988 she began her favorite job bringing her love of cooking and all things kitchen together as manager of Someone's in the Kitchen. She loved to work hard and made dear friends. She retired in January, 2012. She was physically active her entire life, exercising, playing tennis, swimming, fishing, and more recently gardening, and taking care of her home. She had recently discovered her artistic talent with watercolor paints. She was a member of PEO Chapter Q for over twenty years. Sherry was an amazing mother sacrificing herself and giving constant support and encouragement to her children. She extended this love and support to her children's spouses as they each became important parts of her life. She was passionate about her three beautiful grandchildren, and loved to travel to visit them. She is survived by her four children: Monique (Nathan) Miller, Maple Lake, MN; Lawrence (Christina) Massa, Tempe, AZ; Angela (Michael) Stanford, Rapid City; and Dominic (Brenna) Massa, Arvada, CO. She will remain in the hearts of her three grandchildren: Hawkin (10), Savannah (18) and Joseph (2). She is also survived by her former husband Joe Massa of Iowa City, IA, and her brother Loren Moore of DeSmet, SD. Also happy to have been rescued and loved by Sherry is her best "dog friend" Gabby. She was preceded in death by her parents and younger brother Rodney Moore. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered in her honor on Monday, November 25, 2013, at 2:00pm at the Church of St. Therese the Little Flower, with Rev. William Zandri presiding and Rev. Herb B. Cleveland officiating. A Memorial has been established in her name with the Colorado Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; a disease that impacted her brother's family.