CHERYL LYNN WARD

Condolences & Memories (8 entries)

• It seems like just yesterday I wrote a eulogy for Cheryl’s mom, my Aunty Marge. Today, my heart needed to express some of my many memories of my cousin, Cheryl. Cheryl was the type of daughter that many mothers would envy. Always there for her mom. They were ”close” as close could be. They would spend their entire summers together at their family cabin. This was their “happy place”. I know this for Mati and I were not only family but also their neighbors for over 50 years and was always there when a helping hand was needed. Cheryl genuinely loved her pets…and every single one of them were “her” babies who gave her their unconditional love in return. From their family’s dogs Bimbo and Blacky, to Jock, her Scottish Terrier, Nicky, to her cats Marty, Stella, her rabbit, and recently her last little love, “Lucy loo”. And for a short period of time, she found the joy of being a surrogate mom to a baby racoon and a cat she cared for until the owner wanted it back. With no children of her own, her brothers, Jack, Greg and Gary, gifted their sister with the next best thing, the pride and joy of being an “Aunty”. And a loving Aunty she was. Jack & Donna’s Allison & Little Jack, Greg & Karen’s Britney & Kelsey and Gary & Patty’s Michelle. As Cheryl’s family extended, she became a Great Aunty” to Allison’s son River, and Brittney’s 3 children Willow, Reese and Owen. I remember how Cheryl’s lights would be on till wee hours of the morning keeping busy working on her crafts. This gave her much pleasure & joy and self satisfaction. She was always replenishing or adding to her mass collection of every type of craft imaginable with the savings from her 50-75% Off Coupons at Michaels. In the summers on Saturdays, you would find Cheryl and her Mom selling their crafts that they each made at our local Farmer’s Market in LDB. Aunty Marge with her crocheted dish cloths, and Cheryl with so many different varieties of crafts. Whether money was made or not, they both truly enjoyed being there and making new friends at the same time. I also fondly remember the many years of how the “Ward’s Camp” would once again be rejuvenated with the sounds of laughter, liveliness and love when her nieces Brittney, Kelsey & Michelle came to visit their Aunty Cheryl. Whether they came together or one on one, Cheryl was in her glory in being able to spend quality time with them. Her nieces were so drawn to their Aunty Cheryl’s artistic talents that they could hardly wait to find out what activity their Aunty has creatively planned for them to do. When I came over to visit, there they would all be sitting around the kitchen table, chatting, giggling, laughing, each updating her on their lives, while working on their craft projects Cheryl planned for them. Cheryl always praised every niece’s finished project, making them feel so proud of what they had accomplished. This was one of the many of Cheryl’s favorite bonding times together with her nieces, and as I could imagine, theirs too. They also shared a Special Day that Cheryl personally created just for them! It was called “Princess Day”! For one day only each year, Cheryl transformed her nieces from everyday “tomboy” style clothes to stunningly elegant beautiful “Princesses”. All of them dressed in the attire that is only fit for “English Royalty”. Their gowns, long white gloves, sparkling tiaras, jewels and crowns, were all meticulously designed with the courtesy of Cheryl’s smart craft making, and the help of Dollar &Thrift Store purchases. The table was set “fit for a Queen” – Queen Mother (Aunty Marge) that is. The day was spoken only in Royal tongue with words like “Please” and “Thank you”. and “Don’t mind if I do”. This was all of Cheryl’s doing for she loved her nieces as they loved her. I remember the time when I came out to our cabin without my guys. Cheryl and her nieces were so excited to see me. They began frantically telling me how at night they were hearing weird crying noises from some kind of animal running around in the back of our yards. She recorded these noises for me to hear. We played it over and over again. We came to the conclusion it was the sound of a “Cougar”. And sure enough, with our ears to our windows and eyes peeled at our backyards, we all heard the sounds that night as they exactly described. Something was running around back there making these eerie cries. We all got so scared, that I thought we would “pee our panties” from fear. When we all told Mati, he had to burst our “fear” bubble by saying: “There are no cougars in our area. It’s most likely two foxes mating”. That put a damper on our wildlife excitement for the rest of that summer. But in February of the next year, guess what Mati and I saw while driving out to the cabin on the S turn on Hwy 317? – a Cougar - prancing through the snow. So, Cheryl, the girls and I could have been right all along?? Hmmm. I also remember that it seems like not too long ago, how Cheryl played such a huge part by being involved with the organizing of her niece, Michelle's Bridal Shower that was held here in Winnipeg for family and friends. With her brother, Gary’s family’s move to Kelowna a few years before, it was almost impossible to organize a shower from their end. Patty, Cheryl’s sister-in-law, totally relied on Cheryl to handle the majority of the million little things that needed to be done before they got there. Cheryl felt so honored to do this for her niece that she wanted everything to be just perfect. This gave her a special sense of purpose in her life by keeping her so busy for weeks on end. She handled the rental of the hall, and with her artistic talent, planned all the decorating of the hall and carried it through to every little detail that Patty asked for. I remember Cheryl telling me how she constantly drove back and forth to Michael’s (using her discount coupons, I bet) by picking up various decorations to ensure everything coordinated just right. And how she ran to almost every thrift store in search of serving stands for the cakes and dainties. (I think I counted about 20 of them, each so different and uniquely designed). When the day of the Bridal Shower came, as guests arrived, you could hear the comments of how tastefully and beautifully everything looked. As they were being greeted at the door, Patty, in turn, gave full credit to her sister-in-law Cheryl, for this couldn’t have happened without all of her help. There was Michelle, the radiantly beautiful bride to be, and her Aunty Cheryl beaming with a huge sense of pride. I always wondered if Cheryl was sad after the shower was over, for she had so much fun and loved doing it. This is what kept her busy for so long. But, then there was the wedding in Kelowna coming up that I saw brightened and lifted up her spirits and looked so forward to. Have you ever heard of the expression “Shop Till You Drop”? This was Cheryl’s personal trademark. And believe me, I am a witness to it. For many years, my sisters and I and Cheryl looked forward spending our time together by going to Spirit Lake Casino, in Devil’s Lake, ND in Cheryl’s van. Before any casino slots could be played, our tradition was to do our shopping first at Kmart then Walmart. After a couple of hours of going up and down all the aisles in K-Mart, the 3 of us girls would be finished our shopping and “kind of” patiently waiting in the parking lot – for, who else? but Cheryl. I remember going back into K-Mart looking for her. When I found her, I told her we were finished our shopping here and are ready to go. She looked at me with this shocked expression on her face and said “What? I haven’t even covered the first aisle yet? And there’s like 10 more aisles I want to go down before we go to Walmart”. All I can tell you, by the end of day Cheryl continued to “shop” while one, by one, the 3 of us began to “drop”. On one trip to the states, I remember Cheryl was looking for a particular item called a Hobby Horse, you know the kind of toy that has a stuffed horse’s head with a rein to hold, attached to a long broom-like stick that kids rode with between their legs. She said she has been looking all over and just can’t seem to find one anywhere. She was even willing to pay full price for one if only she could find one. As we were driving down a street, she suddenly jerked the van to a complete stop and put it in “PARK”. There we were parked in front of one of her favorite stores – The Thrift Shop. (How she finds these places is beyond me?) We all said “Really Cheryl? You will never find one in there”? About 15-20 minutes later out she trots with the “biggest grin” on her face while her arms are filled with so many bags of “stuff”. She opened one bag and with amazement to our eyes, Cheryl pulls out the most beautiful hobby horse that I have ever seen – dawning with a full flowing mane, fully intact, that looks like it has never ever been used. She was so “tickled pink” to find this and at such a ridiculously unbelievable low price. Found Only in the US of A, eh? We all laughed so hard and yelled “Start the Car! Start the Car!”. The 4 of us continued on travelling our yearly trips together, but let me just say - we now came in two cars. When the weather called for a Tornado warning in our area, there you would find Cheryl and I sitting on the edge of the road facing the farmers field, gazing up at the sky and watching as the ominous clouds came rolling in. These moments we together shared. It’s heartbreaking to know that Cheryl didn’t even get the chance to reap the rewards of retirement that she prepared for all her working life. I am still in shock and struggling with disbelief of Cheryl’s passing. I had no idea. Cheryl, if only I would have known, you would have had my full support. You were a big part of my life. Family too. Call me a bit selfish, but this is not the way I would have liked it to be. Cheryl, I love you. You will always be in my memories and I will continue to keep you close to my heart. Love your Cousin, Lesley - Posted by: Lesley Nomme (1st cousin) on: Sep 30, 2024

• i have known Cheryl for 60 years. Grew up with her and knowing her family for many years. had many fond memory with Cher. RIP my friend. love always, Tony Rolfe. - Posted by: Tony Rolfe (friend) on: Sep 27, 2024

• Many of you know her well but I’m not sure how many would know that Cheryl was the co-founder of a very select group. I don’t know if they had a secret handshake or password or such, but they were indeed exclusive. They called themselves ‘The sisters of the Rueben.’ They weren’t always able to be together but those that could enjoyed this 'find' at the Dakota Hotel Restaurant. Later they discovered Luda's Deli. Cheryl would lead this group made up of Cathy, Kim, Diane, and dear departed Robyn.. Cheryl was a force of nature! She was close to many and my family was fortunate to be part of that closeness. Even though it might be only two or three times a year she would come to our kids’ birthday parties and Christmas gatherings, Always the last to arrive, hustling and bustling in, arms laden with shopping bags of stuff and for sure one but often 2, 2-liter bottles of Pepsi. Her hair would be, how can I say this, big, wearing lots of bling and usually dressed in pink. She was to our kids, and I am dating myself here, like the character in an old movie starring Rosalind Russell , Auntie Mame ! Flamboyant , eccentric with a unique sense of humour. Not one to be forgotten and never will be. - Posted by: Gary Walker (Friend) on: Sep 25, 2024

• I will miss you Cheryl, I've been doing your lawn for quite a few years you have been a great customer and I really enjoyed our talks and conversation when I come over. I'm really going to miss that, my condolences to all your family ❤❤❤❤❤ - Posted by: John Finlayson (Lawn guy) on: Sep 22, 2024

• We were lost for words when the family shared for Cheryl's passing. Sorry to hear of your deep sadness and loss of Cheryl. We knew her as a private person but one who made an impact on her family's lives. Over the years there have been memories shared by her cousins of better times. Hold on to those memories of when things were easy and just enjoyed by laughter. May saying goodbye be a time of thoughtfulness love and kindness of all that you as family and friends have shared over the years with her. Special condolences to her brothers, sister-in-law, cousins Lesley, Lori, Susan and all of their extended family members. Be strong when you can be, weak when you need to be. - Posted by: Bonnet oaks (lake neighbors ) on: Sep 22, 2024

• Have to remember the good ole days. Building snow forts at the rink and the cold and snowy head back to Cheryl’s home to have hot chocolate and warm up. Playing baseball on Glenwood ball team and becoming provincial champs. So many good things to remember. I was a young girl of 3 older brothers as Cheryl did. We could relate. Peace in heaven for you Cheryl. - Posted by: Deanna Condly (Childhood friend. ) on: Sep 21, 2024

• Cheryl was truly a great person to work with, and be around, many fond memories. Passed way to soon. RIP - Posted by: Doug kaminsky (work place) on: Sep 21, 2024

• I went to school with Cheryl and although our paths diverged after school she left me with a lasting gift that I’ve never forgotten. I almost took a path in my teen years that would not have been a good place to go and she advised me out of making a very big mistake. Although at that time neither of us knew that her help had put me back on a better choice towards my future. Last year we Glenwood girls got together to celebrate our 65th birthday and I was able to have a conversation with her and I had told her how thankful I was for what she had done all those years ago. She had forgotten but I hadn’t. She thanked me for telling her that story……Although I never got to see her again I will always remember her with great fondness. Be at peace Cheryl from a friend who always remembered…..Lilliane - Posted by: Lilliane Dubois (Friend) on: Sep 21, 2024