Cheryl McMullen

Cheryl Marie Walker McMullen

Cheryl Marie Walker McMullen, at the age of 63, passed away on April 20th at the University Hospital in Salt Lake City due to complications after heart transplant surgery. She was surrounded by friends and family at the time of her death. Cheryl was born in Reno at Saint Mary's Hospital on March 9, 1950. She attended St. Thomas Aquinas Grammar School, and high school at Bishop Manogue. At age 12 she developed juvenile onset diabetes, and from a very young age she had to deal with this illness. Despite this, she did not let it slow her down in any way. She was a varsity cheerleader, and went to Girls State, a recognition for academic achievement and leadership roles at her school. She attended the University of Nevada, and graduated in 1972 with a teaching degree. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority, and was president her senior year. While her husband attended school she worked at San Wa Bank in San Francisco, and as a financial secretary in Nashville, Tennessee. She returned to Reno in 1979, and loved her job as a stay at home Mom. The past few years she worked for her husband part time in his medical office.

Cheryl played softball for many years, and later discovered the game of golf, and spent many years playing with all her friends at Washoe Golf Course. When her health deteriorated, she became an excellent cook. Her house became filled with cookbooks and the smell of garlic. Her greatest passions were her children, and being a Mom. She loved them so much, and later was able to love her daughter-in-law and two beautiful grandchildren just as much. She has been fortunate to be surrounded her whole life, by a large loving family. She had countless friends who loved her fiery spirit, and her joy of living by making the most of each day. Lake Tahoe was a favorite place, and she had many years of fun and laughter with family and friends. She took a yearly trip with her close friends, and the laughter and fun continued. She was a huge support system to her husband, and they became best friends.

Cheryl is preceded in death by her father, Myneer Walker, her sister Andree Walker, and her nephew J.K. Metzker. She is survived by her mother, Mary Walker, husband Dr. Joe McMullen, her son Dr. Mitch (Bridget) McMullen, her son Matthew McMullen, and her 2 grandchildren, Macey and Molly, her brother Beer (Heidi) Walker, nieces Kristin (Henry) Rolling, and Minnie (Dan) Peters, and J.K. Metzker's widow Jaime, her brother and sister-in-law Steve and Ann Scolari, as well as many cousins, extended family and friends.

Thanks to Dr. Phil Landis who helped her for many years. A special thanks to Dr. Stan Thompson and Dr. Bill O'Neill who not only helped her extend her life as much as possible, but became her friends. A thanks to Dr. Thompson's nurse, Jan Louise Federici, her guardian angel. Thanks to Dr. Stinson and Arvie Humphrey, Mary Ann Williams, Rex and Dorothy Steninger, Ann Scolari, and Dr. Mike and Debbie Stoker who traveled to Salt Lake to take care of her when her husband could not be there. Despite the best efforts of these people, her husband, her family, and her doctors, we couldn't save her.

A Mass of Christian Burial, in celebration of her life, will be held at 3:30 PM, Monday, April 29th, at Our Lady of the Snows Church, 1138 Wright Street in Reno.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to JDRF (Juvenille Diabetes Research Foundation) 5335 Kietzke Lane, Suite 230 Reno, NV, 89511, or the Carmelite Sisters, 1950 LaFond Dr., Reno NV 89509.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Walton Funeral Home in Reno. Please visit www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com and leave a message in Cheryl's Book of Memories.