Cheryl DiChiara

Cheryl Colley DiChiara, age 70, a lifelong resident of Troy, Alabama, passed away Thursday, January 14, 2021, following a fierce fight against Covid-19. A graveside service to celebrate her life will be held Monday, January 18, 2021, at 12:30 p.m. at Green Hills Memorial Cemetery with Father Christopher Boutin officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be Matthew Owen, Allen Owen, Mason Thompkins, Allen Ponder, Brandon Hussey, Carroll Hussey, and Benny Pinckard. Honorary pallbearers will be the staff of Pike Internal Medicine, board members of the Colley Senior Complex, and members of the St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church hospitality committee.

Cheryl was a graduate of Charles Henderson High School Class of 1969 where she was head majorette. She went on to Troy State University where she was also a majorette in the Sound of the South Band, pledged the Phi Mu Fraternity, and achieved her Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing while serving as co-owner of Colley School of Baton.

When Cheryl and husband Mickey met, she took on the selfless leader role that would become a theme for the rest of her life. She worked as a registered nurse  in order to pave the way for him to finish medical school. She cherished her role as his partner and support system. Most days were spent working as his diligent office manager at the practice they built together, Pike Internal Medicine.  Afterhours, she was wife, mom, sister, and friend,  bringing together family, making a welcome home, and dishing up the legendary DiChiara Family Recipe, Suga. She encouraged her children, Neal, Marilee, and Michael to reach their potential in all areas of  life. She was their rock for advice, a loving word, or stern motivation. She was an attentive sister summoning her five siblings for family reunions, beach getaways, cabin cookouts, ski trips, and “mandatory” Sunday dinners. Arguably, her best role was one that came bedazzled as “CC.” CC, the only grandmother of her kind, never missed an opportunity to dote upon her grandchildren and share in their adventures. She attended her grandkids' events and “no” was not in her vocabulary when they asked. She would tell you she raised Mary Michael and taught Ford how to hunt and fish. She took little responsibility in turning Maggie and Martie Will into shopaholics and said that Mary Jewell must have gotten her athletic ability from the Colley side of the family.

If there was one thing more important to Cheryl than family, it was her faith. She was a devout Catholic and active member of St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church.  Naturally she could be seen serving on the hospitality committee always setting up for parish events. She and Mickey did not miss Sunday Mass, fulfilled an hour of weekly Eucharistic Adoration, and quietly supported Church initiatives. Cheryl also loved her Troy Community, serving as community ambassador, helping neighbors, or cheering for her beloved Troy University Trojans.

Cheryl is survived by her husband of 43 years, Dr. Mickey DiChiara; children, Neal DiChiara (Curri), Marilee DiChiara Hussey (Bobby), and Michael DiChiara; grandchildren, Mary Michael Hussey, Martie Will DiChiara, Maggie DiChiara, Ford Hussey, and Mary Jewell DiChiara; sisters, Annette Colley Owen (Allen), Julie Colley Lowery (David), Helen Colley Haberstroh (Bill), and Jennifer Colley Ventress; brother, Matt Colley, Jr. (Helen); brother-in-law, Ronnie DiChiara (Sally); sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Williams (Charlie); numerous nieces and nephews; and a good dog, Leroy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Matthew Carl and Mary Folmar Colley, Sr.; nephew, Matthew Folmar Lowery; and father-and-mother-in-law, Louis and Lena Mae DiChiara.

The family wishes to extend many heartfelt thanks for the outpouring of love from the Troy community and from friends and family afar. All the prayer, food, fellowship, and memories shared are a great testament and encouragement to the legacy our CC leaves to cherish. In lieu of flowers, charitable memorial contributions may be made in her honor to St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church (C/O Generations of Faith Campaign, 725 Elba Highway, Troy, AL 36079) or to the Colley Senior Complex (715 Elm Street, Troy, AL 36081). Friends and family can sign the guestbook online at www.greenhillsfuneralhome.net. The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the DiChiara family.