Vicki Cain fondly remembers her friend, Sherri Cusco, as a selfless helper who had a true heart of gold.
“She would help anyone with anything,” Cain said. “She was so well-liked in the community and was involved in so many different things. People called her Sherri Shopper – she didn’t really shop for herself. ‘Oh, look, I found this and thought of you.’”
Cain has many of those warm thoughts of her friend, but also the very painful memory of her loss that’s shared by countless who were close to the Destrehan resident. Cusco committed suicide in November of 2022, and that tragic loss was sudden for those who knew her.
“People don’t always realize someone is suffering as much as they are until it’s too late. She always had a smile on her face and such a bubbly personality,” said Cain. “But there were times she’d withdraw. We all knew she suffered with depression, but we had no idea it was to the depth it was.”
Lisa Gibbs and Alicia Windstein were also friends of Cusco. Recently, they joined with Cain to honor Cusco’s memory by doing good in her name: the trio put on the Sherri Shines candle campaign, creating a logo to commemorate candles sold to raise funds for suicide awareness. Through that effort, the trio made a $900 donation to Creative Family Solutions, a local non-profit organization that offers counseling and educational services for those in need.
“When we lost her, several of us wanted to do something in her honor. We thought it would be good to keep it in the community,” Cain said. “The support was wonderful and – it didn’t surprise me at all that we sold that many candles, because she knew so many people and did so much for others.
“We can keep her life shining for others, to try to help someone if we can.”
It’s not the first time Sherri Shines has done good for others. A T-shirt campaign under the banner raises money for Proverbs 14:41 homeless ministry and a cause that was dear to Cusco’s heart.
“That was one thing she had a real passion for, helping the homeless,” Cain said. “I see people still wearing those shirts when we go out.”
Cain said that it’s more important than ever to be mindful of the struggles others might be dealing with – and the pain that arises because of them.
People deal with and often hide their emotions in different ways, but there might be warning signs that arise for someone experiencing potential thoughts of suicide.
“I think when someone totally starts to withdraw or stops doing activities like they used to do … maybe they’re not going to the gym, they’re not answering their calls and texts,” Cain said. “I think now, if I realize a friend of mine isn’t responding to a call, I might just take that next step and go knock on their door. And then one step further and try to help them to seek guidance if they need it, counseling.”
Cain added that someone battling emotional trauma can call 988, the suicide and crisis hotline, to seek guidance.
The efforts to do positive things in her name have helped the positive memories of who Cusco was stay in the front of Cain’s mind, she said, as opposed to the sad memory of her passing.
Cain said it also helps to know that their donation will provide an assist to an organization that could ultimately save the life of someone battling similar issues.
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