Cheri Lynne Jess Gordon

Cheri Gordon Beloved sister, mother and grandmother, Cheri Lynne Jess Gordon was taken to Heaven on July 14th. She was 68 and had been ill for several years. Cheri spent her childhood in Portland, Oregon at the Jess family homestead along the Methow River in Okanogan County, and Tacoma, where she was hospitalized in the TB Sanatorium, only to be told many years later she never had TB at all. Cheri graduated from Lincoln High School in 1957, married Roger Gordon, and had babies. She was a traditional stay-at-home mom until she joined Nordstrom Best when they opened their new store at Tacoma Mall. In the 1970s she went to college, and then she went to work for the finest doctor's office in the city, found good friends and meaningful work, and retired there. Cheri received the gift of a donated kidney in the 1990s and this brought her several happy years. Please support organ donation. Cheri had been a member of Holy Rosary Mother's Club and Tacoma Yacht Club. Cheri was beautiful, stylish, sharp-witted, and iron strong all of her life. She loved her tight circle of family and friends, shopping, eating out, reading, watching movies, entertaining, antique auctions, bacon, country music, and sparkly jewelry way before it was bling. Although she will be terribly missed, her example and spirit will continue to guide and inspire us. Cheri is survived by her sister and best friend forever Beverly Arnhold of Federal Way, children Martin W. Gordon of Mt. Vernon and Kelly (Sam) Rupert of Tacoma; five grandchildren: Margaret, Katy and Nathan Rupert, and Meagan and Jeremy Gordon; and special nieces and nephews Mike, Pat and Pam. Cheri will be met in Heaven by Roger, her parents, and a large happy extended family. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 am on July 26, 2007 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, please treat yourself to something you enjoy. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneyfuneralhome.com . Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home 253-572-6003.