FARRELL, Pa. (MyValleyTributes) – Sherry Buchanan, 87, of Farrell, Pennsylvania, passed away surrounded by her family on Monday, May 4, 2026, in UPMC Jameson Hospital, New Castle.

Mrs. Buchanan was born on May 6, 1938, in Barkeyville, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Marion L. (Stanley) Smock.

Her husband, James Eugene Buchanan, whom she married on February 5, 1954, passed away on August 12, 2014.

A dedicated homemaker, Sherry loved to cook, crochet and watch wildlife in her backyard. Her life revolved around her family and her children. When her children were in school, she was highly involved in the Jefferson Elementary School PTA, and was the Past-President. Sherry also had a passion for fishing and bird watching. In her free time, she relaxed by reading and doing puzzles.

She is survived by four daughters, Jamie Dobrozdravic, Cyndi Buchanan, Regina Scott, all of Florida, and Karen Spehn (Jack), of Arizona; three sons, Robin Buchanan (Pam), of Alabama, Gregg Buchanan, of Greenville, Pennsylvania, and Jeffrey Buchanan (Sue Ann), of Farrell; 12 grandchildren, Geno, Jeffrey, Amy, Todd, Heidi, Ryan, Shana, Tyler, Spencer, John, William, and Jeffrey, Jr.; several great-grandchildren; and a dedicated niece, Joy Hayden.

In addition to her parents and husband, Sherry was preceded in death by a son, James Buchanan, Jr.; a son-in-law, Paul Dobrozdravic; and a sister, Jerry Thompson.

The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to the Shenango Valley Animal Shelter, at 2599 Broadway Rd., Hermitage, PA 16148; or ASPCA, at www.ASPCA.org

A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday May 9, 2026 in the chapel of Hillcrest Memorial Park, 2619 East State St., Hermitage. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Interment: Hillcrest Memorial Park, Hermitage.

Arrangements are being handled by the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sherry W. Buchanan, please visit our flower store.

A television tribute will air Wednesday, May 6 at the following approximate times: 6:47 a.m. on WYTV, 9:43 a.m. on WKBN, 10:58 a.m. on FOX and 8:12 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.

DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — As high school graduation season approaches, so does a rise in teens participating in a popular game known as “senior assassin.”

The Swatara Township Police Department is asking parents to speak with their kids about the risks associated with the game, where students try to “eliminate” each other by spraying each other with water guns or squirt bottles.

“The game is played outside of school hours and away from school property but has been reported to be causing disruptions and posing risks to participants and bystanders alike,” police wrote Tuesday in a news release.

READ MORE | What is the ‘Senior Assassin’ game?

The police department said there have been reports of students playing the game outside of local businesses and alarming the public.

There are online resources that advise students avoid private property and use brightly-colored water guns, police said, but not all students are following those rules.

Police said some students have used paintball guns, which can lead to injuries.

“We urge parents and guardians to speak with their children about the potential risks associated with participating in this game and to discourage them from taking part,” the Swatara Township Police Department wrote. “The safety of students and community members is our top priority, and we must work together to ensure a safe and respectful environment for everyone.”

Another Pennsylvania police department out of Bucks County, the Buckingham Township Police Department, said the game sometimes results in 911 calls reporting “armed subjects.”

“In case you are unfamiliar, Senior Assassin is a game that involves high school students ‘stalking’ and ‘shooting’ each other with water guns in an attempt to be the last senior standing,” Buckingham Township police wrote. “We have heard that some students are using Nerf guns or silly string. Think of this game as ‘hide and seek.’”

The Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department also spoke out about the game back in 2023, warning that students sometimes use water pistole that could easily be confused for real firearms.

“This behavior, though intentionally innocent, could easily be perceived, reported, or confronted as suspicious behavior by unknowing persons and outcomes could have serious consequences,” the police department had said.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE | ‘Senior Assassination’ game among high schoolers concerns police in Lancaster County

While the Buckingham Township Police Department said it does not condone the game, it offered the following safety tips for students who might decide to play anyway:

• Do not use realistic-looking weapons; use clearly identifiable, brightly colored water guns.
• Do not wear masks or behave in ways that would make a reasonable person to believe you are a threat.
• Avoid trespassing on private property or playing in public spaces, especially at night.
• Immediately comply with any police officer’s instructions and stop playing if instructed to do so.