Cherie Lynn Winnicki

Cherie Lynn Winnicki, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on August 8 in Seattle after a yearlong battle with lymphoma. She passed peacefully with her children at her side. Cherie was an educator, caregiver, author, and artist who celebrated the world around her, uplifted the spirits of her friends, and loved freely. She often said, "I'm just sharing God's love."

Cherie was born on October 3, 1948, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Ellen and Charles Kline. She was the second oldest of six siblings: Judy, Leslie, Kim, Charles, and Tracy. The family was close-knit, and her parents and siblings remained integral to Cherie throughout her life. She graduated from Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1966 and went on to earn both a B.A. and M.S. in Education from Wayne State University in 1972. Later in life, she received a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Syracuse University. It was at Wayne State that Cherie met her husband of 52 years, Robert T. Winnicki. They were married on August 2, 1969, and together had two children, Robert and Anastasia, who were the central focus of their lives. Through Robert and his wife Laura, Cherie had two grandchildren, Mia and William, who brought her immense joy and happiness.

Throughout her life, Cherie lived in many cities, including Kalamazoo, Royal Oak, Liverpool, Colorado Springs, Valencia, Marcellus, Longmont, and finally her beloved home on Camano Island. Cherie and Bob chose Marcellus, New York, to raise their family, and Cherie became a valued member of the community through her volunteer efforts, such as running the after-school dance program and Meals-on-Wheels. Wherever she lived, she created beautifully decorated homes and built lasting friendships. Her outgoing nature and warm personality left a lasting impression on her neighbors and communities.

Cherie had a lifelong passion for helping others, which was evident in her teaching career. She taught for 22 years, 17 of those in the Marcellus School District in Syracuse, New York. She began as a substitute teacher and worked her way up to head of the mathematics department. Teaching was her first passion, and she approached it with dedication, creativity, and the sense of humor that defined her personality. Cherie made a lasting impact on countless students, and she took great pride in following the lives and careers of those she taught.

In 2003, Cherie retired from teaching to care for her husband, Robert, whose health was declining. In 2004, he was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a form of bone marrow cancer. Cherie became his advocate and caregiver, supporting him through a 17-year struggle that included hundreds of transfusions and a bone marrow transplant, followed by years of complications. Robert credited Cherie with being the reason he survived long enough to see his children marry and meet his grandchildren. Cherie chronicled this period of their lives in her first novel, A Caregiver's Journey. In 2015, when her mother, Ellen, could no longer live independently, Cherie and Bob welcomed her into their home, where she cared for both her mother and husband until Ellen's passing in 2020 and Robert's in 2021.

Beyond writing, Cherie was a creative soul who worked with both ink and paint. Her drawings and paintings adorned her home and the homes of family and friends. Art became a solace for her during her illness, and she found joy in giving her pieces to others. Her crowning artistic achievement was her home on Camano Island, Washington, which was a reflection of her taste and her remarkable skill in organizing and decorating. This home, like her art, was born from hardship-Cherie and Bob found it while he was undergoing his bone marrow transplant. It became their sanctuary and the heart of her life. She cherished the expansive views of Mount Baker, the morning calls of seabirds, and the gardens she lovingly cultivated over the years. Ever selfless, Cherie delighted in sharing her home with guests, often cooking and entertaining family and friends.

In her 75 years, Cherie's enthusiasm and generosity touched countless lives. Her memory lives on in the hearts of her many friends, her family, and especially her beloved children and grandchildren.