Sherine Cirullo

It is with extreme sadness that we announce that Sherine Cirullo of Santa Rosa, California passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on February 22, 2022.  She fought bravely against her neuroendocrine cancer diagnosis for 7 years.  She impressed her care team who said that she was a strong person and that her character and strength were an inspiration for all. 

 

Sherine was born in Spokane, Washington on February 4th, 1956 to Rudolf and Joan Hirschnitz. She attended San Carlos High School, University of California Santa Barbara, Oregon State University and San Diego State University.  She had  a long career, starting in High School where she was the night manager or Taco La Paz. Often the Giants Baseball team members would come by after a game, most notably Bobby Bonds with his sons. Throughout her life, she spoke of this fondly.  During her younger years, she met her lifelong friend Debbie Barker Bruhne, who remained a friend through her life. Later she spent some time working in the Insurance Industry.  Her career for 35 years was at Hewlett Packard Company, where she met her husband Geoff. She had an amazing 35 year career. Her time at the San Diego division and in Puerto Rico led to lifelong relationships and friends that she continued to communicate with through her life.  Besides being Luke’s mom and volunteering, Sherine loved her last profession which was as a tasting room associate at Hannah Winery. 

 

Sherine enjoyed numerous activities. While in Puerto Rico, she became an expert windsurfer, eventually teaching her future husband to windsurf as well. When she returned to California, her favorite windsurfing spot was Rio Vista, Ca.  She was an avid baseball fan and enjoyed attending numerous baseball games and followed the Giants through thick and thin. She commented many times that the best quality in her husband was that he had Giants season tickets. 

 

After retiring from HP, Sherine spent her time volunteering at Luke’s schools. She volunteered in the classroom in middle school and any event that she could. In high school she was a valued member of the Analy Education Foundation and Project Grad committees.  She worked tireless hours to support the academic mission.  Luke’s friends often referred to her as the Sheriff because when she spoke, they listened. 

After Luke graduated and went to college, Americorps NCCC, working at numerous jobs and stabilizing at G&C Auto, Sherine and Geoff spent time traveling as much as possible. Raising Luke, many weeks were spent skiing in Lake Tahoe. It was with great pleasure that the family that skied together, stayed together.  They enjoyed flying to San Diego to visit with friends from Puerto Rico, Gary and Sharon to catch some Giants games, tour, and enjoy the weather. Locally, Sherine joined numerous wine clubs which became their social life with all the events, even joining a group which existed to taste wine. Often they were joined wine tasting with Maria and Carlos, also friends from Puerto Rico.  Other trips spent during her fight included Niagara Falls, Cabo San Lucas, Europe, Lake Tahoe, Austin Tx and a road trip encompassing the United States Southwest. 

 

Sherine was a great planner and always every detail taken care of when hosting a party. She was extremely loyal, had a big heart and was very gracious  - sometimes even laughing at her husbands jokes. Sometimes. She helped with the raising of her nieces and nephews plus her friends children as well. She always supported and was there for their life events or maybe was just there to grant the parents a night out on the town.

 She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Geoff Cirullo of Santa Rosa, son Luke Cirullo of Rohnert Park,  father Rudy Hirschnitz of Windsor (Cyd), and brother Dan Hirschnitz (Mary) of Windsor, Geoff’s siblings Gregory Pierce (Heid) and Barbara Cirullo. Also Sherine remained close to her mother’s side of the family including Aunt Arlene Martin and Sherine’s cousins.  Sherine has numerous nieces and nephews including Steven Kline, Grace Kinney, Abra Pierce, Shoshanna Pierce, Anthony (TJ) Sprotti, Jenna Rose Sprotti, Danielle Caldwell and Ryan Hirschnitz.  Numerous great nieces and nephews were loved too.  Sherine was predeceased by her loving mother Joan Hirschnitz, mother in law Betty Cirullo and sister in law Beverly Jean Pierce. 

 

Donations can be made to the NorCal CarciNet support group at: https://bit.ly/SherineC

 

A celebration of life is currently planned on May 5th, 2022 – Cinco de Mayo to acknowledge Sherine’s love for Margarita’s.  For information on her celebration, please contact her husband at geoff.cirullo@gmail.com .  We hope to see you then. Please remember that Sherine will live forever in our hearts.