I wanted to share my thoughts from the day I learned about her death (see below). As of this time, Cheryl is survived by loving friends (who are greatly appreciated), Daisy (her beloved dog who has been adopted by a friend) and her brother, Doug Howard (Fawn).

Unfortunately, today I learned my sister, Cheryl, passed. Fawn and I had not heard from Cheryl, and we called for a welfare check the result of which was learning the bad news. I wanted to start by sharing the news for certain people on FB, and please forgive me for not contacting certain family members or friends before this post.

I am using the picture of us with Mom which Cheryl last used for a cover photo.

Cheryl was very intelligent with humor and a loud laugh. She was generous --- in spirit and with gifts. She enjoyed being the gift giver more than being the recipient it seemed (but showed gratitude for gifts as well).

Cheryl loved animals, including her beloved Daisy. Daisy is OK and in the hands of a humane animal shelter if I am unable to find her home (and, with regret, I am unable to take Daisy for Cheryl).

Cheryl was proud of being a RN (and she earned that pride). I was proud of her. She was highly competent and educated in her profession --- an avid reader who used this as a tool to enhance her professional knowledge.

At too young of an age, Cheryl lost our Mom. Same for our brother, Mike. Obviously, we all had my Dad (and we were lucky on that front). For a long time I thought about how hard it must have been on Cheryl to lose Mom. A daughter without her mother. I felt there was a dynamic there that made the challenge of overcoming harder for her (notwithstanding the “shared” experiences). But Cheryl showed strength in her own way, and I commend her for it.

I am grateful Cheryl visited relatively frequently in recent years. I am glad she made it one final time in early January. I am grateful Cheryl and Fawn got along so well and Cheryl was able to know Fawn and Tori. We will miss Cheryl.