  Sun reporter Sherri Wood was always working 24/7 -- well at least she was on this night in March 2004 as she lined up overnight with thousands of other Canadian Idol hopefuls at the former SkyDome. (Dave Abel, Sun Media)
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There has been an outpouring of emotion since Toronto Sun music writer Sherri Wood passed away earlier this week.
Here are a few examples of what you've had to say.
Bill Harris (Sun TV writer)
As many of you know, the Toronto Sun entertainment department lost a valued colleague and a close friend when Sherri Wood passed away earlier this week after an 11-month battle with brain cancer. She was only 28.
When Sherri was stricken last April, I was dealing with a family crisis of my own, as my mother was critically ill.
She died the very next day.
As a result, I couldn't even process what had happened to Sherri. For me, it was a slow realization, over many months. I don't know if that's better or worse.
I'm going to assume Sherri is reading this from above -- and I can just hear her saying, "Sure, Harris, I have John Lennon and Elvis Presley waiting for me at the Heaven's Gate Starbucks, but I'll put that on hold."
In any event, here are a half-dozen random phrases and quotes that will make Sherri laugh:
"Tea time!"; "Four stars for Bob Dylan? Are you crazy?"; "Oh, forgive me, I wouldn't want to insult Three Dog Night, EVERYONE's favourite band"; "Why don't you two just 'do it' and eliminate the sexual tension?"; "The Doodlebops are calling -- again!"; and finally, "Wedding, 4 p.m."
Sherri knows how I felt about her -- and fortuitously for me, the reverse also is true -- so I won't get all mushy here.
All I'll say is this: For the rest of my life, whenever I think of Sherri Wood, I'll smile.
And really, whether we're here for a long time or a short time, isn't that the legacy any of us would want?
Kayla Wood (Sherri's sister)
Sherri was not only my sister but my best friend. No matter how many people have touched or influenced my life, none of those experiences could compare to my sister. She had a spirit that touched hearts. She was genuine and unique inside and out. She taught me patience and kindness and did everything she could to make me a better person. She was the candle who lit our hearts with happiness and wisdom. She will truly be missed. R.I.P., my angel.
Kathy Brooks (Former Entertainment Editor, Toronto Sun)
To me it seems fitting that I should send an Emily Dickinson poem, since Dickinson is so inspirational to young people. This one's for Sherri: I burn my candle at both ends, It will not last the night, But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends, It makes a lovely light. Sherri, you made a lovely light.
Paul Schmidt (Producer, SUN TV)
I got to know Sherri from her weekly appearances on Canoe Live. If you never met her, look at some of the video clips they've posted because Woody had the same irrepressible smile on screen and off. She always filled a room with warmth and wit and one of the all-time great laughs. I too shared many a Starbucks run with Sherri (the girl drank a lot of tea) and it was during those walks and talks that she became one of my absolute favourite human beings. Not only is she the coolest chick I know, she's one of the most caring, sensitive, intelligent people I've ever had the privilege of calling a friend. I love and miss you like hell, Sherri. We all do.
Janette Luu (Canoe Live Host, SUN TV)
There's no one like Sherri Wood and we were so lucky to have her as part of the Canoe Live family on SUN TV. She was so smart, so lovely, and so energetic. We were anxiously awaiting her return to television, but most importantly, we were waiting for her return to good health. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to see her this past Halloween, when she was all dressed up as a bumblebee. Despite all she was going through at the time, she was her same old self. Sherri definitely signified style and strength, and I think she will continue to touch our lives. Sherri, you're absolutely beautiful, and we will miss you terribly.
Bob Bishop (Showcase Editor 2001-06, Toronto Sun)
Newsrooms, generally, aren't very happy places, often full of backstabbing, bitterness, infantile outbursts ... you name it. But us, we had Sherri. You couldn't help but smile when you saw her. Sherri's enthusiasm was infectious, even among our most jaded. Without fail, she would steer the conversation in a happy direction, taking all who wanted to join along for the ride. Even if it was only in passing, a short part of a long day, you felt better for it. My thoughts are with her family.
I will never forget you, Sherri.
Ellen Tews (Family friend)
My heart is deeply troubled and saddened ... no words can describe the person Sherri was. To know her was to love her (well, except that brief time when she was 15 -- LOL, that was trying). I have so many fond memories of the Wood family and the years we have spent together. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to know and love her but I am so very sorry that I didn't get a chance to say goodbye and broke my promise to bring my boys to hang out with her. I was blessed to be able to watch her grow into a wonderful woman. The world has lost a star.
Mary Dickie (Former Sun workmate)
I'm so saddened by this news. Sherri was a little ray of light, and she should have had a lot more time to spread that light around and enjoy everything the world has to offer.
Amy Doary (Publicist, MuchMusic)
I met Sherri once, but I never forgot her. Her spirit was contagious and the brief time I spent with her was hilarious, entertaining, and uplifting. Although she was a true professional, she knew when to draw the line, put down the pen and just cut loose. She was enthusiastic about life and it was something I admired from Day 1. Sherri was one of those people who could make you forget your fears and feel like the world just wasn't all that bad with just one smile. We will all miss that smile.
Chris Clay (Staff Reporter, The Mississauga News)
Sherri and I attended Humber College together, graduating the same year. She was a fun-loving and vivacious young woman who was always a pleasure to be with. This is tremendously sad news.
Mike Koreen (Sport and Recreation Information Officer, York University)
I had the pleasure of getting to know Sherri a little bit when we were both relatively young reporters at the Toronto Sun. I'd make regular trips over to the entertainment department to see my old friends from the sports department, but I'd usually be sidetracked and end up conversing with Sherri about, as our older colleagues would put it, "the youth of today." Of course, Sherri knew far more about "the youth of today" than myself because I'm not exactly the definition of young and hip, like she was. While we had wildly different interests, we had one of those it's-a-small-world moments when we discovered she was good friends with one of my old neighbourhood buddies through the music scene. It was always nice to have someone around my age in the building to talk to about everything from strange old people to the challenges of making ends meet in the big city as 20-somethings. Sherri's enthusiasm for life and her job inspired me. She'll be greatly missed by many, many people.
Joanne Setterington (Indoor Recess Inc.)
My thoughts and prayers are with Sherri's family and friends and to all of you at The Sun. Sherri was first and foremost a music lover. I always got a smile on my face when she would write me an e-mail, more excited about a new record than anyone else on Earth! She'd be over the moon and couldn't contain her happiness. Music was a gift to her. She would always drop me a note after an interview and tell me how great the interview had gone and that really meant something to me. It meant that she appreciated the artist, their music and their time. The world has lost one of its strongest rays of sunshine. We are all blessed to have had her in our lives.
Eric Alper (Music Publicist)
I've been doing PR for almost 15 years now, almost half of my life. I've met a lot of media people, in and out of my job, and the Sun has always managed to find some of the coolest, warmest and best music writers anyone would ever want to meet. Sherri Wood is no exception. It's such a heartbreaking loss that she's gone. She GOT it. The bands nobody else had heard of before, the really cheesy mash-ups, the shows you couldn't miss, even if she couldn't write about them but called to tell you about. She understood her ability was to tell stories about the band, the fans, everyone else in between, and made it look so easy. She made my job easy, that's for sure, and I always looked for her whenever we had a show and I knew she would be there. The music industry was robbed, and I can only imagine what her family, and Sun staffers, are feeling.
Brigid Dineen (High school friend)
Sherri has been a dear friend of mine since high school. Never have I known such a courageous woman. Courageous, hilarious and modest. Until the end, she never understood why we thought she was strong. She was just dealing with things she had no choice but to deal with, as far as she was concerned. We all knew differently, however. Many of us, when faced with such an overwhelming challenge, would buckle under the pressure, retreat away from others, and quite frankly turn into jerks -- likely unable to relate to the world around us in the same way any longer. Not Sherri. She was kind, loving and grateful until the last moment, thanking everyone around her and more worried for our well-being than her own. When Sherri said, "I'm gonna beat this thing!" in the last moments, her mom replied, "Baby, you already have." Nothing could be more true. The world needs more people like Sherri. May her spirit live on in the lives of all those she touched ... and I know there are a lot of us out there! Sherri, I love you so very much.
Jane Harbury (Jane Harbury Publicity)
We are so sorry to hear about your/our loss. Sherri was a wonderful young woman to work with. And she was so supportive of the artists and events with whom we work. Sherri will be terribly missed by us all. It is a very sad day. Please convey our sympathy to her family, colleagues and friends.
Scott Henderson (CTV Inc.)
On behalf of CTV Communications, I would like to extend our sympathy to Sherri's family, friends and co-workers. Many of us have worked closely with Sherri over the years and she was the subject of much fond remembrance this morning. It is especially hard-hitting for a lot of the team, considering her young age. I first met Sherri when she was an intern and spent the night on the floor of the SkyDome, lining up for Canadian Idol auditions to write a piece for the Sun. I remember that by morning she had wondered what she had gotten herself into. She persevered and actually auditioned in front of the producers and then left to go back to the Sun to file her story. Sherri certainly had great enthusiasm for entertainment that was evident in not only that assignment but on many others on which we worked together. She made an impact in her short life and will not soon be forgotten.
Adam Cook
Just a quick note of thanks to John Kryk for his stirring tribute to Sherri. My mind is still reeling from her passing. I've known Sher for several years now; from playing in bands, through mutual friends, and from having so many shared interests. I can't help but feel like we've all lost so much today. Sher was so vivacious, so energetic, she gives credence to so many cliches; she lit up a room, she smiled with her whole body, she gave so thoroughly and so selflessly to so many people, and to her last moment, she was an absolute inspiration in her strength and courage. Thanks so much for remembering her so fondly.
Marissa Neave
My greatest shopping ambassador, confidante, style aficionado, encourager extraordinaire, link to all that is worth paying attention to, my most willing-to-try-whatever, wellington-wearing, pants-swimming friend, Sherri Wood was a torrent of awesome who will forever be loved and missed.
Robert Robison
It is so sad that someone so young and talented would pass away from such a horrible disease. Sherri will be in my thoughts and prayers and my heartfelt condolences go out to her family and loved ones. I was a fan of her writing.
Anastasia Saradoc (EMI Music Canada)
I was so incredibly saddened to hear about Sherri passing away. My heartfelt condolences go to her family, friends and co-workers. This fabulous girl will be so greatly missed! Sherri was so wonderful to work with -- she had a great energy and enthusiasm that not all journalists have. I will especially fondly remember our many Coldplay conversations and what a thrill it was for her when she interviewed Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland from the band in May 2005. Her genuine interest/respect for the band and her exceptional sense of humour easily made this interview one of the highlights for the guys during that intense promo visit to Toronto.
Sabina Foo (Former Colleague)
I just learned about Sherri's passing. She interned for me at Citytv on CityOnline and was one of the sweetest, loveliest people I have ever known. So bright, so beautiful, and so much talent. Truly a star that has gone to heaven. My sincere condolences to her loved ones.
Amanda and Sean Westwood
My husband and I and our two daughters (Sydney and Sarah) met Sherri and her mother Debbie at the palliative care unit at St. Mike's a few weeks ago. My mother-in-law was her roommate. Her spirit and smile lifted our hearts immediately and helped us in a difficult time in our lives. My daughter Sarah loved playing with Sherri's wheelchair link while sitting in the family lounge and she usually makes strange with others, but she could at eight months old feel Sherri's love, compassion and beautiful spirit and was naturally drawn to her and Debbie. Our thoughts and prayers have been with Sherri and her family since the passing of our mother/Nanny on March 1. It was a shock to open the paper today and see that Sherri had passed, but we are so ever grateful for the few moments we had with her and her family and our condolences are with you all.
God Bless, The Westwood Family.
Sean D. Fitzgerald (Features Intern, National Post)
I met Sherri four years ago, when I was just discovering my calling as an arts journalist. Her passion, professionalism and style inspired me to no end, and she became a mentor figure for me. I applied to the Humber Journalism program because of her advice, and now that I'm mere months away from graduating, it saddens me that I will never be able to buy her a drink for everything she's done for me. Thanks, Sherri. You will be missed.
Liisa Ladouceur (Music critic)
Oh, Sherri. You beautiful girl, you leapt from the pages. You wrote about the hip, the hits, the hot stuff, but you were the one to watch, weren't you? I did not work with you at the Sun, but of course I read you, and I ran into you around town at the shows and the shin-digs and you were always someone worth talking to above the noise, with your infectious passion for pop music, cool critic factor be damned. It was some MuchMusic party and you had such very kind words to say about me, which I shall never forget. Today I am so sad to hear of your incredibly difficult illness, the secret to your long absence from the paper. But I'm comforted to learn how much you lit up people's lives and were loved.
Kathleen Lippa
I was very sad to learn of Sherri's death. I remember her amazing style and always enjoyed her writing for the Sun. I remember her on SUN TV as well, and I recall in particular her report on the vitality of the Small Press book fair in Toronto. She was really passionate about that -- telling people why it's important to support small, independent publishers who put their heart and soul into their work. She was just so cool, friendly, and she had a wonderful smile. I send my thoughts and prayers out to her family and friends and everyone who loved and worked with her at the Sun.
