Phyllis Pauline Cherry

Phyllis "Pauline" Cherry, 89, passed away peacefully in the arms of her granddaughter, Kristine, and surrounded by family on Saturday April 13, 2024 at Kishwaukee Community Hospital of DeKalb, IL. She was born on June 26, 1934 in Enfield, IL to Herman and Lulu Gunter.

Phyllis spent most of her life devoted to her family and friends and often adopted many more along the way. Once you were hers, she was always here for you and made you feel heard and safe. She was a mother, grandmother, aunt and best friend. She enjoyed working in greenhouses and tending her own gardens. She was the daughter of a farmer knew all the ins and outs of how to take care of anything. It was the running joke in our family that she used "shovel" to dig her gardens. In reality, it was a large kitchen knife. She swore it worked best to weed her flower beds. We all brought her gardening tools but they sat in the barn unused.

Her knowledge of life's happiness and perspective of life was immeasurable. The life lessons she has passed on to her family was part of her charm and grace. She spoke often about not sweating the little things and forgiving often. She believed that in the end, Love was the most powerful thing on this planet. She truly healed everyone she came into contact with magic hugs and a giggle that was infectious. She lives on in her family, as we share her memories and stories, even a bit of her magic.

She was preceded in death by her parents; stepmother Edna (Foley) Gunter; Husband Lawrence Cherry, and sister and best friend Laura Ann Webster. Son Keith Cherry, Grandson Erich Cherry (Dana Bond), Great Granddaughter Charli Rae Lewis.

Phyllis is survived by her Daughter Lori Parker, and Son Michael Cherry. The Granddaughter she raised as Daughter, Kristine Cherry; Niece Linda Kay (Mel) Dogan. Grandsons, Allen Lewis, Tony Lewis (Melissa), Donald Cherry, Dewey Ball, Mat Miller and Ryen Miller. Granddaughters, Paula Parker, Raechel Wilson (Scott), and Leona Ball (Carrie). Great Grandchildren, Morgan Lewis, Mason Lewis, Devin Lewis, Elliot Lewis, Sky Parker, Aiden Parker, Peter Popp, Tommy Popp, Natalie Popp, Emmett Radke, and Vivienne Cherry. Great Great-Grand son Carter Lewis, and many beloved animals.

The family of Phyllis will be celebrating her long beautiful life on May 11th at 2pm at Pioneer Park in Hinckley Illinois. All are welcome to join in the celebration of her life and the family she created both by blood and her choosing.