Sherrie Bashaw Cause of Death: Blanchet Catholic School Teacher, Coach and Beloved Mentor Remembered After Reported Passing
The Blanchet Catholic School community is mourning the reported passing of Sherrie Bashaw, a longtime teacher, coach and mentor whose work touched generations of students in Salem, Oregon.
Bashaw built a remarkable legacy at Blanchet through her dedication to education, athletics and service. She was known not simply as a teacher but as someone who invested deeply in the lives of students and in the wider school community.
Blanchet’s official records identify Bashaw as a middle-school teacher and former volleyball coach. She also taught leadership and religion and became widely recognized for the encouragement and support she provided to students.
Her accomplishments as a volleyball coach were particularly notable. Bashaw guided Blanchet’s program to major successes and was recognized repeatedly for her coaching achievements. She earned the Tri-River Conference Coach of the Year award seven consecutive times from 2003 through 2009 and was named Oregon Volleyball Coach of the Year in both 2008 and 2009.
Her achievements continued into the following decade. Bashaw was selected by the National Federation of State High School Associations as the 2011 Northwest Sectional Coach of the Year for volleyball, an honor recognizing her contributions to high school athletics across the region.
Her influence was also reflected in the success of Blanchet’s teams. During the school’s 2008 championship volleyball season, the Cavaliers finished 32-2 and captured the OSAA 2A state championship. Bashaw earned her sixth consecutive Tri-River League Coach of the Year honor following that remarkable season.
But Bashaw’s legacy extended well beyond the volleyball court.
Blanchet recognized her for her commitment to helping students and serving the community. In 2022, she received a military-unit challenge coin from colleague Mark Risen in recognition of her selfless service. The school described numerous ways she supported students, including organizing community service projects, encouraging students, supporting school activities and volunteering with the volleyball program even after retiring from coaching.
One of her most meaningful community efforts involved the 1000 Soles/Shoe Battle of the Schools Shoe Drive, which helped provide shoes to local homeless youth. Bashaw and her leadership students helped collect and wash shoes for the program, with Blanchet’s community contributing more than 2,700 pairs over three years.
She was subsequently recognized by the City of Salem with a Youth Achievement Award for that volunteer work, further reflecting the influence she had beyond the classroom.
Students and colleagues also remembered Bashaw for the personal touches she brought to school life. Blanchet’s 2022 tribute noted that she made and delivered cupcakes for students on their birthdays, organized acts of kindness and created opportunities for students to encourage one another.
Her commitment to students was clearly visible in the response from the school community when she received the challenge coin. Students who had personally experienced her support were asked to stand, and the gym reportedly filled with applause.
For many Blanchet alumni, Bashaw represented the kind of educator whose influence continued long after graduation. She combined teaching, coaching and service in a way that allowed her to become a trusted mentor to generations of young people.
Her professional legacy is also preserved through Oregon high school athletics records, which continue to list her as Blanchet’s varsity volleyball coach during the program’s successful years.
At this time, however, the reported death itself has not been independently confirmed through an official obituary or current Blanchet announcement located in the search. Details concerning the date or cause of death and funeral arrangements therefore remain unavailable.
If the reported passing is confirmed, the loss would represent a profound moment of sadness for the Blanchet Catholic School family and the many students, athletes, colleagues and community members whose lives were touched by Sherrie Bashaw.
Her documented legacy is one of service, education, athletics and compassion — a legacy built through years of helping students succeed and encouraging them to give back to others.
For those who knew her, Sherrie Bashaw will be remembered not only for championship seasons and coaching honors, but for the everyday acts of kindness that made her such a valued part of the Blanchet community.