Sheryl Leigh Darius Tauzin, 66, passed away with family at her side Sunday, Aug. 21, at Canon Hospice in Gulfport, Miss., of complications from chemo after breast surgery.

She was a resident of Perkiston, Miss., born in Portland, Ore., raised mainly in New Orleans and the Westbank, and was a graduate of West Jefferson High School.

A homemaker, she was naturally talented in art, home décor and dance. She had taught aerobics at her studio, Westbank Body Rhythm, with her own choreography. Later, she was employed by the state of Mississippi, caring for special needs adults.

At that time, Hurricane Katrina totally wiped out everything she owned at her Long Beach residence two blocks from the Gulf. After that horrific storm surge, residents were not even allowed to go back for weeks to try to salvage anything. Authorities described it as “a pile of sticks.”

Sheryl’s life seemed to be one of “beginning again.” She was a lovely bride as she and Robert were wed on her 60th birthday, just six years before. She had a sociable, friendly nature, thoughtful of others, and was ever hopeful for a better future.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Tauzin; a daughter, Stacie Hettler-Swiecki; a son, Don J. Hettler; a stepdaughter, Amanda Tauzin Bychurch; a sister, Diane Thompson; a brother, Wesley H. Darius; a half-sister, Tish (Vic) Villegas; two granddaughters, Kayla Lynn Hettler and Calli Hudson; also her mother, Shirley Hill Darius; two aunts, Patricia (Wes) Ellis and Rowena Hill; an uncle, the Rev. Wesley G. Ellis; her former husband, Joe Hettler; other relatives and friends, including special friends Paul L. Ristroph III, Nelda Ledet, Ann Thomassie and Annette Buffington.

She was preceded in death by her father, James H. Darius; a half-sister, Lucille Edmundson; a brother-in-law, John Thompson; grandparents, Charles Wesley Hill and Floy Russell Hill Parker; also an uncle, Charles Jerome Hill; and two beloved great-aunts, Susie Hill and Rena Hill Rawlinson.

Sheryl had chosen cremation, to be interred in the Hill family plot at Bogue Chitto Baptist Church. Final arrangements were handled by Riemann Family Services. A memorial gathering will be held soon.

No gifts to anyone, please. Sheryl would remind us to thank God for the gift of each dawn; to nurture the birds and flowers; to speak only kind words to your children and to others; and say “I love you” when you say good-bye.