Folsom-Meek was education trailblazer
Sherry Folsom-Meek was an early leader in efforts to study and advance the field of adaptive physical education, with numerous awards and published works. Folsom-Meeks died in August after a long battle with kidney disease. She was 76 and lived at the Mankato Hillcrest Rehabilitation Center.
Born in Iowa City, she grew up in Spencer, Iowa. She graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, married and went on to live in Texas and Kansas. She taught high school and sold real estate for a time.
After her divorce, Folsom-Meeks began graduate work at Kansas University in Lawrence. She attained her master’s degree in adaptive physical education in 1983 and then attended Texas Woman’s University, where she obtained her doctorate in 1986. She taught at several universities before taking a position at Minnesota State University at Mankato. She remained in Mankato until her retirement in 2015.
Folsom-Meek was internationally known for her work in the field of adapted physical education and had numerous awards and publications to her credit. She was also responsible for the licensure of many dedicated teaching professionals in her field.
She also dedicated many years of work with Camp Courage. Her inspiration was her daughter Patricia “ Trish.” Trish died in 1999 at age 24.
She is survived by siblings, a nephew, an uncle and many cousins, friends and colleagues. Memorials in honor of Sherry requested that memorials be made in the name of her daughter, Patricia Lee Meek to Lakemary Center Endowment Association, 100 Lakemary Drive, Paola, Kansas 66071 or to Special Olympics Minnesota, Donor Services, 100 Washington Ave. S., Suite 550, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Services have been held.
