Cheryl Griffin Benz

To Steve and your lovely children:

Akwasi, my sons and I extend our heartfelt sympathies to you upon the enormous loss of your charming mother. She reached out to me at some point--possibly when we realized we were, quite literally, neighbors in addition to central committee volunteers at the Miami Book Fair International.

Our relationship was not close but it was warm. As you may remember, she invited us to your home one Sunday for dinner, and we will never forget it. She...

For almost five years Cheryl and I, together with good friend Pat Nation, were office mates at MDCC Wolfson campus. In fact, Cheryl was the first person I met when I was initially hired as full-time instructor in the ESL department. I remember being astonished by her clear green Alaskan eyes, and immediately reassured by her infectious giggle. We became friends instantly, and ended up sharing more laughter than professional discussions about texts, methodology, etc. - even though Cheryl loved...

Gone too soon, Cheryl! Cheryl, one of a kind, has left a void in TESOLERs lives, especially in mine. As my mentor on the Sunshine State TESOL Board, Cheryl has left a BIG void in my life. Although I would have had big shoes to fill in, had she completed her term on the Board, I was proud to be in line to succeed her. Unfortunately, she was gone too soon from the Board due to her illness. I could have been a better President for SSTESOL had Cheryl completed her term because she was grooming me...

I bring warm greetings from the Agyeman family of Miami. I can't even recall precisely how I met Cheryl, but I suspect the Miami Book Fair International played a part. I worked as a general volunteer before I joined the board of directors, and I known that she and I chatted often during the committee meetings. She found out I worked in book publishing and told me about Steve's literary work; I told her my husband was also a professor at MDC (North), and eventually we discovered we were

To Cheryl's family and friends,
There are few words to say that really console in these difficult moments. However, it is important to know that Cheryl was loved by many including those who didn't even know her that well. I was one of those who didn't interact with Cheryl that often by was touched by her enthusiasm and joy of living.
She will always be remembered.

Even among those of us who never met her, Cheryl's spirit lives brightly, inspiring us to contribute to a better world in whatever way we can.

You are in my thoughts and prayers. Cherly was a very special colleague to know and work with. The Benz family was always in our covervations and I looked forward to them.

I will always remember Cheryl as a loving, selfless and giving human being. She symbolized what I always like to call a true professional who will always be missed by all of those who had the honor and pleasure to have known her. No hay suficientes palabras en ninguna lengua para expresar la tristeza que sentimos aquellos que tuvimos el honor de haberla conocido como colega y como amiga. Ozzie

I'm holding you in my heart.