Cheryl Kay Mitchell

Cheryl passed away peacefully in her Citrus Heights home surrounded by loved ones on March 19th, 2012. Cheryl lost her longtime battle with breast cancer at the age of 66. Many hearts were broken this day as we lost a wonderful daughter, mother, grandmother, sister and best friend. She was a light in so many lives, now an angel.

Cheryl was born in Watertown South Dakota to LaVonne and Daniel Mitchell on November 11, 1945. In 1951 Cheryl and her family moved to Seattle, Washington. Cheryl also spent time living in Portland before settling down in Sacramento, where she graduated from Folsom High School. Cheryl’s mother, LaVonne, married Frank Naclerio in 1961. Frank was like a father to Cheryl, and a wonderful grandfather to her children. Cheryl was the firstborn with her sister Linda 15 months later, and sister Gayle 9 years later.

Cheryl married Bob Courtade in 1964 and they had three children, Laura, Debora and Robbie.

From those children came Cheryl’s much adored grandchildren, Hannah (15) (Laura), Jake (8), Bo (6) and Brady (3) (Debora & Rich), Kristen (17), Emily (9), and Sammy (5), (Robbie & Lynette). Cheryl loved nothing more than spending time with her grandchildren, attending the fair, gymnastics meets, festivals, sewing, tea parties, and so much more.

Cheryl was very proud of her career with the State of California. She began working for the Employment Development Department (EDD) in 1977. She then came to the Department of Fish and Game in 1986 as an Office Technician in the Accounting Branch. She transferred to the Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) in 1991 and worked there until her retirement on August 1, 2006. Cheryl was one of OSPR’s first employees, considered a “Plankholder”, and was the lead in setting up OSPR’s Procurement program and establishing procedures for the Logistics section during oil spill responses. She was an emergency “first responder” serving as the State’s Logistics Section Chief during oil spills and drills. As the OSPR Logistics Chief, Cheryl worked with many oil industry representatives, U.S. Coast Guard employees and other state employees under the Incident Command System for emergency response. Cheryl was promoted to an Associate Governmental Program Analyst during her tenure at OSPR. When new legislation passed to establish the Non Tank Vessel Financial Responsibility Program, Cheryl again took the lead analyst role helping to set up the program, and continued working in that Unit until her retirement.

Cheryl enjoyed 5 years of retirement, traveling, sewing, spending time with her friends and family and her beloved dog Abigayle. Cheryl walked Abigayle morning and afternoon everyday until she could no longer do that. Abigayle was a very good friend for Cheryl, and misses her very much. Cheryl enjoyed sewing and made many pretty things for her granddaughters, and also spent time teaching them how to sew.

Cheryl had many friends who she enjoyed traveling with, attending “girls night out” once a month, plays, movies and just being a great friend. She was loved and will be missed by many.

Cheryl was reunited with her father Daniel, her step father Frank, her sister Gayle, and nephew Brian, who all passed away before her.

Please join us in a celebration of Cheryl’s life at Sunrise Community Church on Saturday April 28th at 10am, with a reception following the service. In lieu of flowers donations in Cheryl’s name can be made to the Susan G Komen breast cancer foundation.