Cheryl Cleary

Cheryl Cleary Obituary

Cheryl Ann Cleary died October 18, 2014, of cancer, at the age of 76.

Cheryl was born December 15, 1937, in Portland, to Thelma Margaret Elia and Carl Emil Elia. She had one sister, Janet Elia. She grew up in the Laurelhurst neighborhood, attended All Saints School, Class of ’52, and graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1956.

On April 23, 1960, Cheryl married James Cleary and they had five children. Cheryl and Jim raised their family in the Laurelhurst neighborhood. They were active in the All Saints Parish and their children attended All Saints School. Cheryl was a homemaker and never missed an opportunity to be involved in her children’s lives. She volunteered much of her time to the schools her children attended. Whether she was filling in for the school secretary, chaperoning field trips, coordinating concessions for Saturday games at the gym, planning parties or teaching sacrament preparation classes at the church, she always made her family a priority. She loved being a mom and loved having a home filled with children, both her own and others. Simply put, there was never a dull moment at the Cleary house.

Cheryl lived a very blessed life. She had the privilege of traveling quite extensively both with her family and with Jim, in his retirement. While their travels took them around the world, her favorite place to spend time and make many memories was at their beach house on the Oregon Coast. Whether it was Maui or Manzanita, Cheryl loved the beach.

Cheryl was preceded in death by her father; mother; sister; and son, Kenneth Cleary, who died one year ago.

A loving wife, mother and grandmother, Cheryl is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Jim Cleary; children, Tom Cleary (Jill), Karen Vu (Luke), Carlene Turpen (Mitch) and Patricia Reeves (John); daughter-in-law, Lisa Cleary; and grandchildren, Patrick and Sean Cleary, Keara, Dillon, Lucie and Ella Vu, Emilie and Jack Turpen, Jacob, Nathan, Alex and Molly Reeves and Michael and Matthew Cleary.

Cheryl was a very passionate person with a deep love for her family, friends and cats. She will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, October 24, 2014, at All Saints Catholic Church in Northeast Portland.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation, 9205 S.W. Barnes Road, Portland, OR 97225.
Born: December 15, 1937 Death: October 18, 2014Share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook.

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One reply on “Cheryl Cleary”

Latrice Smith
My prayers are with you and your family. Please remember God’s words at John 5:28,29 that ‘those in the memorial tombs will…come out.” In harmony with God’s original purpose, those resurrected as humans will have the opportunity to live on a paradise earth. (Luke 23:43) My heart aches for you and your family and I pray that you find comfort at this difficult time.