Cheryl Murray Obituary

Cheryl Denise Murray
December 8, 1968 - September 30, 2023
Cheryl was gently called home to Heaven the morning of September 30, 2023, after bravely fighting Acute Myeloid Leukemia over a period of five months. Standing nearby were her constant "Team Cheryl,"-her mom, dad, and brother. Originally diagnosed and treated in May 1997, she was in remission when she had a relapse in April 1998, causing her to have a disabling stroke at the same time. After weeks in rehabilitation, she had a bone marrow transplant in July 1998 at Stanford Medical Center, generously donated by an anonymous donor, and for which the family is eternally grateful. This BMT gave her another 25 years, two months, and two days of life to be relished.

Cheryl was born at Sacramento's Mather AFB, after which home was several places, including Ellensburg, WA, where her beloved brother Derek joined the family, then California's Altadena, Pasadena, Santa Rosa, as well as Shelton, WA.

In Shelton she was active at Faith Lutheran Church, was on the Shelton High gymnastics team, and was a summer AFS exchange student to Izmir, Turkey. Then a move back to Santa Rosa had her attending and graduating from Montgomery High, Santa Rosa Junior College, Sonoma State, and receiving her MA from University of Phoenix. After her stroke and rehabilitation, she worked for the EDD office in Santa Rosa for ten years before retiring.

Cheryl was a longtime member of St. Mark Lutheran Church, was a former Soroptimist, met many friends at gyms-including the Rebels. She enjoyed swimming at Finley Pool, being a crafty "Auntie Cheryl" to her beloved niece Paige, was active in the ABIS (Acquired Brain Injury Students) at Santa Rosa Junior College, adored her brother Derek, re-posted hilarious cartoons and jokes on FaceBook, and had the most beautiful smile. Many have mentioned her tenacity and inspirational spirit as she encountered one health setback after another.

Her Celebration of Life will be held on October 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran, 4325 Mayette Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA. A luncheon will follow. A memorial fund has been set up at St. Mark in her name.

She is survived by her parents, Dorothy and Alan Murray; brother Derek (Mariah), and niece Paige; Great Aunt Joann Miller of Fremont, Aunt Sharon Murray of Antelope; and numerous cousins.