I said goodbye yesterday to a wonderful woman, one who had a big influence on my life. She and my parents were friends long before I was born, and so I grew up with my auntie Cheryle and spent so many days and nights at her house.

I remember watching Sesame Street with her boys in their living room and rocking out to the end credit song. I remember her laughing at a 2 or 3 year old Brendan napping with his bum up in the air. I remember her calling me “baby boo” – which I am sure she called many others, but it made me feel special. I remember her making me try Caesar salad and me saying “actually that’s good!”. I remember asking if I could have a snack and her telling me that I was basically one of her kids and to just get something to eat if I was hungry. I remember camping trips and late weekend card nights and hide and seek in the dark and soccer weekends. I always felt at home and safe there, and some of my favourite childhood memories happened with the Eikelands.

As I got older, I was her less and less; the cost of getting older I guess, and having a more independent life as a teenager and young adult.

I invited her and Harold to my wedding, hoping to convey that they were still special people in my life despite not having seen each other for several years at that point. They came. When my limo arrived (probably late but time is a construct), they were waiting out front of the building and a wave of relief came over me, and with it some nervous tears. They gave me hugs, and she called me “baby boo”, and told me that it would be fine. I was so happy they came. That was 11 years ago.

My dad has been telling me for years to go out to one of their famous “steak nights” at their hotel in Marwayne. I have always been a busy person (can’t seem to say no to things!) but I am also a chronic procrastinator. There was always something – school or work, family events, what do I do with my dogs, the kids have activities or are sick – and now I wish I had just made time to make that drive and figure it out. I wish I could have told her what she meant to me.

I wish I could have known her better these last years. It sounds like she was truly at home in Marwayne, having been a first responder, fire fighter and even the mayor. Her boys exude her spirit as adults and they’ve quite obviously benefitted from having such an amazing person as a mom.

Goodbye, auntie Cheryle. I’ll miss you.

Harold & Family 

My condolences- her smiling face will be missed by everyone. I didn’t  get to see you both as that often, only when I came home to visited my Dad & Mom but when we would stop in she always made me smile with her humour.

Cheryle is likely the nicest woman I have ever met. Her smile is like no other, her heart is as big as the sun and she has a very special place in my heart! Rest In Peace Cheryle

Harold and family, my deepest condolences to all of you!

Cheryl was such an outgoing, friendly person.  She revived the spirit of the Marwayne Hotel, and her involvement in the community will be missed.

Deepest condolences to Cheryl’s family, and all who loved her 

Cheryle will be missed by so many in the community of Marwayne. She was a passionate ambassador for our small community and was part of almost anything that went on in town. She was on several committees through the village as well as being on the Fire&Rescue Squad, being the main source for “light up “ Marwayne and the History book committee are just a few of the things she was involved in. Her boots will be very hard to fill and I hope her family realize just how amazing she was and what she did for her community. Her bubbly personality will be missed by so many of us. Our sincere sympathies to her family and hoping that all the good memories help them through this sorrowful time.   Rest in Peace Cherlye!

Doug and Penney Ford

To Harold and family

I am so sorry for your loss.

Far too soon