Obituary for Lucile A "Lu" Sherman (Gove)
Lucile (Lu) Sherman, 92, passed away at home in Longmeadow on November 25, 2019, surrounded by
her loving family. Born and raised in Beverly, MA, she was the only daughter of Robert H. and M.
Florence (Wright) Gove. Lu met Jim, her husband of 68 happy years, when they were both studying at
Tufts. Following their marriage, Jim’s service as a Naval Officer took the couple to Newport, RI; Norfolk,
VA; and Philadelphia, PA. After four years in Washington D.C., they moved to Connecticut with their
three young sons and settled in Enfield. In 1963, they purchased and renovated a historic house on
Main Street in Somers.
Caring for her family and their home was Lu’s priority. She supported her sons’ activities in many ways,
including volunteer work with the PTA and Boy Scouts. She welcomed family, friends and Jim’s clients
into her kitchen, where there was always an extra chair to pull up to the table. She planned adventures
for her grandsons over school vacations. For several years, Lu managed the Hamilton House Bed and
Breakfast in their home.
Lu was a charter member of the Enfield Historical Society. She played the piano for nursing home
residents and volunteered with Meals on Wheels, a crisis pregnancy center and other community
organizations. Lu was active in her church communities, serving as organist, Sunday School
Superintendent, youth advisor with Jim, and member of many committees. Her religious faith was
strengthened by more than 20 years of participation in a women’s bible study group. At Glenmeadow,
where she and Jim moved in 2012, she helped organize a monthly communion service.
Lu had a special gift for connecting with people, taking care to stay in touch with family and friends
through calls and visits. In 1979, she helped a Cambodian family of 11 begin a new life in Somers. The
Kits became a second family for Lu and Jim, and she was proud of their accomplishments.
Lu is survived by her cherished husband, James Warren Sherman and their two sons, John (Margaret) of
Slingerlands, NY and Robert of Hallowell, Maine. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Gove of
South Hamilton, MA; her two grandsons, Nathaniel Sherman of Los Angeles, CA and William Sherman of
New York City; her sister-in-law, Betty Jane Selde of Walla Walla, WA; her cousin, Richard (Amelia)
McKenney of Rye, NH; many nieces and nephews; and her dear friends, the Kit family. She was
preceded in death by her son Thomas.
A celebration of Lu’s life will be held on December 13 at 3 PM in Cotz Hall at Glenmeadow. In lieu of
flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Glenmeadow, 24 Tabor Crossing, Longmeadow, MA 01106 or
to Trustees of Tufts College, Tufts University, P.O. Box 3306, Boston, MA 02241.
her loving family. Born and raised in Beverly, MA, she was the only daughter of Robert H. and M.
Florence (Wright) Gove. Lu met Jim, her husband of 68 happy years, when they were both studying at
Tufts. Following their marriage, Jim’s service as a Naval Officer took the couple to Newport, RI; Norfolk,
VA; and Philadelphia, PA. After four years in Washington D.C., they moved to Connecticut with their
three young sons and settled in Enfield. In 1963, they purchased and renovated a historic house on
Main Street in Somers.
Caring for her family and their home was Lu’s priority. She supported her sons’ activities in many ways,
including volunteer work with the PTA and Boy Scouts. She welcomed family, friends and Jim’s clients
into her kitchen, where there was always an extra chair to pull up to the table. She planned adventures
for her grandsons over school vacations. For several years, Lu managed the Hamilton House Bed and
Breakfast in their home.
Lu was a charter member of the Enfield Historical Society. She played the piano for nursing home
residents and volunteered with Meals on Wheels, a crisis pregnancy center and other community
organizations. Lu was active in her church communities, serving as organist, Sunday School
Superintendent, youth advisor with Jim, and member of many committees. Her religious faith was
strengthened by more than 20 years of participation in a women’s bible study group. At Glenmeadow,
where she and Jim moved in 2012, she helped organize a monthly communion service.
Lu had a special gift for connecting with people, taking care to stay in touch with family and friends
through calls and visits. In 1979, she helped a Cambodian family of 11 begin a new life in Somers. The
Kits became a second family for Lu and Jim, and she was proud of their accomplishments.
Lu is survived by her cherished husband, James Warren Sherman and their two sons, John (Margaret) of
Slingerlands, NY and Robert of Hallowell, Maine. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Gove of
South Hamilton, MA; her two grandsons, Nathaniel Sherman of Los Angeles, CA and William Sherman of
New York City; her sister-in-law, Betty Jane Selde of Walla Walla, WA; her cousin, Richard (Amelia)
McKenney of Rye, NH; many nieces and nephews; and her dear friends, the Kit family. She was
preceded in death by her son Thomas.
A celebration of Lu’s life will be held on December 13 at 3 PM in Cotz Hall at Glenmeadow. In lieu of
flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Glenmeadow, 24 Tabor Crossing, Longmeadow, MA 01106 or
to Trustees of Tufts College, Tufts University, P.O. Box 3306, Boston, MA 02241.