Cherrymae Ann Aromas

Livestream Link for the Mass of Cherrymae Aromas

In Loving Memory of a Devoted Daughter, Sister, Tita, Mentor, and Friend

With heavy hearts and boundless gratitude for the gift of her life, we share the passing of our beloved Cherrymae, whose unwavering faith, joyful spirit, and servant's heart touched countless lives. Cherrymae Ann Aromas, 52, of Brunswick passed away Wednesday evening, November 12, 2025. Born on June 2, 1973, at Makati Medical Center, in Manila, Philippines, the daughter of Gil R. and Elisa (Espineda) Aromas. Just before her second birthday, she immigrated with her parents to the United States.

She attended Blessed Sacrament and then St. Ambrose elementary school and graduated from Padua Franciscan High School in 1991. The lessons learned at these schools built the foundation of her spiritual and leadership skills she used later in life to touch the lives of so many people.

Cherrymae earned a Presidential Scholarship to Mount Union College, where she quickly became a powerhouse of involvement and leadership. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Kappa Phi Christian Women's Group and served as president of Association of Women Students. Through these and many other student organizations she formed lifelong friendships and discovered her immense talent for guiding others to grow, lead, and thrive. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1995.

Her call to service led her to AmeriCorps NCCC, where she proudly served her country from 1995-1997. Whether working in schools painting murals with children, digging trenches and irrigation systems, or providing security for the volleyball venue at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, she poured herself fully into every mission. She exemplified AmeriCorps motto "Getting things done" and believed in doing the work that needed to be done-joyfully, faithfully, and without hesitation.

She later attended graduate school at Bowling Green State University, where in 2001 she earned a Master of Arts in College Student Personnel with an Adult Learning Focus. Here Cherrymae discovered one of her true callings: higher education. Her graduate school internship brought her to Baldwin-Wallace College. First as an intern, then as a staff member, she became a beloved figure in Student Affairs. She adored her students-every single one of them. She loved running student organizations, advising Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, laughing and talking with her students, and encouraging them through every hardship and success. She built relationships that lasted a lifetime, and she somehow knew everyone on campus-every staff administrator, every janitorial staff member, every corner of the community.

She carried that passion forward into her work at Ramapo College of New Jersey, continuing her journey in higher education and remaining steadfast in her belief that young adults could change the world if someone simply listened, guided, and believed in them.

When health problems began to surface, Cherrymae refused to let them define her. At Synergy Sports Therapy, she brought light and joy as a receptionist when greeting yoga students and sports massage clients. She especially enjoyed connecting with the Cleveland Browns players giving them the same warmth, humor, and gentle firmness she gave her fraternity boys-because to her, everyone deserved dignity and kindness.

Returning to St. Ambrose in later years brought her immeasurable joy. She found a new family in the choir, traveling to Rome in 2014 to perform. She found a new purpose in volunteering, and new young souls to mentor through Vacation Bible School and Parish School Religion. Even as her body struggled, her spirit grew stronger. She never stopped giving.

To her family, she was our rock-an amazing daughter, the best sister, most supportive tita and the truest friend. Her siblings looked up to her. She fiercely loved her family and naturally became our leader. No matter what she was facing, she never stopped listening to our worries, stories, and problems. Cherry always had the right words to help, nurture, and guide our family through every storm. She took care of her parents even while they were taking care of her. Her love was unconditional, steady, and unfaltering.

Her faith was her strength. She endured more than most ever will, but she always believed that God would take care of her. That faith gave her courage, hope, and the belief that one day she would receive her transplant and step into her next chapter. Though she did not get the chance in this life, we trust with full hearts that her next chapter has already begun-brighter, freer, and filled with the peace she so deeply deserved.

Cherrymae leaves behind a legacy of compassion, service, leadership, and love. She made the world better-one student, one friend, one act of kindness at a time. And she made us better, too.

We will miss her every day. But we will carry her strength, her faith, and her love forward-just as she always carried us.

May God welcome her home with open arms.

Cherrymae is survived by her parents Gil R. and Elisa E. Aromas, brother Gil V. Aromas, sister Liza Aromas-Janosik, brother-in-law Justin Aromas-Janosik, nieces Ysabella Aromas and Emelia Aromas-Janosik, and nephews Kye Aromas and Zander Aromas. She is preceded in death by nephew Devon Aromas-Janosik.

Friends are invited to the viewing/calling hours Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 3:00-7:00 PM at Waite Funeral Homes (3300 Center Rd, Brunswick, OH 44212) where starting at 6:30 PM, the Legion of Mary of St. Ambrose will lead the reciting of the Rosary, followed by a closing prayer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated November 21, 2025, 12:00 PM, Friday at St. Ambrose Catholic Parish (929 Pearl Rd., Brunswick, OH 44212). Cherrymae will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery, Valley City, OH with a reception to follow at Copper Top Golf Course (5740 Center Road, Valley City, Ohio 44280) until 5:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: American Diabetes Association, https://diabetes.org/ways-to-give. To sign the online guest book please visit https://www.waitefuneralhome.com/obituary/cherrymae-aromas.