Sherry and Eric Nadworny moved to California 11 years ago from Boston. Eric had a job opportunity in the Bay Area at the same time both of their children were leaving New England, and they decided to finally realize a dream of moving to California. They first rented a house in Dublin to see what part of the Bay Area they wanted to be in. “It was hands down Walnut Creek,” says Sherry. Seven years ago, they bought their house in Northgate.
Sherry was born and raised in Boston; she earned a degree in Mass Communications from Emerson College in Boston. Eric is from Burlington, VT, and slowly made his way south to Boston graduating from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and then attending Boston University School of Law. They met on a blind date. Sherry says, “I needed a roommate and the woman who answered my ad had a dog who didn’t get along with my dog. Since she wouldn’t be able to be my roommate, she came up with another idea – meet her brother who lived in the neighborhood. I had only met her that once, but took the chance.” That chance meeting blossomed, and they married in 1984.
When they were in Boston, Eric’s job as a Labor and Employment lawyer for a major healthcare chain required him to come out to the Bay Area once or twice a year. Sherry adds, “On one of those visits, while picnicking in Napa, we met a man who had just started making wine. He became a dear friend, and as his wine venture grew, we became limited partners in his winery – Rosenblum Cellars, which gave us the opportunity to travel here more often. We wanted to move to the Bay Area, but with elderly parents and then children who were in school and activities, it never seemed like a dream that would be fulfilled. Then my younger daughter, Hillary, graduated from college in Rhode Island and got a job in LA, and my older daughter, Katie, moved to Istanbul.” All the stars aligned for their move to California.
Hillary is now the Senior Events Manager for UCLA, division of Social Sciences. She also enjoys music and is the vocalist for a Meatloaf Cover Band called Legendary Pot Roast. They perform around the country. Katie works as a freelance writer and journalist. Her articles have appeared in the Guardian, Nation Geographic, the Daily Beast, The Independent, and more. She recently published in the Atlantic earning a Pulitzer Grant.
Sherry and Eric like to travel and always brought their children on trips, especially overseas. “I’m sure that is where my older daughter got the interest in living as an ex-pat,” reflects Sherry. Eric and Sherry do a lot of hiking and biking. “We love Northgate with its easy access to Borges Ranch, Castle Rock, and other hiking trails, and we love the bike trails. Another benefit of the bike trail is that I ride my bike to work.”
Sherry is the Director of Development and Community Relations at Meals on Wheels Diablo Region, which is located in Downtown Walnut Creek. “When my mother was alive, Meals on Wheels in Boston kept her independent and at home. She couldn’t cook anymore and needed a meal midday. I lived 40 minutes away, had two small children and worked. It was a tremendous help and relief knowing that she would not only get a nutritious meal, but that the volunteer was able to check on her to let me know if she was okay. I felt so passionately about MOW that I knew I had to apply when a position opened up three years ago. It was a life-affirming choice, and I feel so fortunate that I can help other seniors like my mom. I often have interactions with clients and adult children. I understand their worry about having enough food, or not being able to prepare food. No one, especially a senior should worry about going hungry.” Sherry started out after college working as a news writer at a Boston TV station and then worked for a little bit doing news and public affairs for a radio station in Boston. She transitioned to Public Relations for healthcare and hospital organizations in Boston. She did this for over 20 years. Later she fell into fundraising because she started doing events in her PR capacity and realized her skills where a good match to raise funds for good organizations. When they first moved to California, Sherry worked in Berkeley as the Development Manager for a nonprofit that produced health books in over 80 languages for people throughout the world who had no access to health care.
None of her previous work has given her the same level of sense of purpose as Meals on Wheels Diablo Region has. “Working in Walnut Creek and living in Northgate has made me appreciate what a vibrant and caring community we chose, and reading about others in Northgate makes me feel that we really found the best neighborhood in the whole city!” adds Sherry.
By Kara Navolio, Resident since 1991 | Photo Credit by Nadworny family
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