Cheryl Lynn Allen

Cheryl peacefully passed on at home on Monday, March 13, 2023, with her husband Geoff at her side. She had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2020 and, with courage and determination, she endured major surgery and multiple rounds of chemotherapy. However, her disease became unmanageable and despite its ending her physical life with us it failed to defeat her and she died with a victorious spirit. She was born in Columbus, the daughter of (and survived by) Donald George Wynkoop and Shirley Ann (Girbert) Wynkoop and was raised in the suburb Bexley where her father served as principal of Bexley High School for many years and Shirley was a teacher. Tragically, she was preceded in death by her treasured older brother Steven Mark Wynkoop who died unexpectedly at age 46 from heart disease. Cheryl graduated Bexley High in 1978 and received her undergraduate degree from Miami University (Ohio). Soon after she continued her studies in education there and earning two master’s degrees in education and counseling. As expected, she had an extensive career teaching starting with Marysville and Dublin public schools and was an academic advisor at The Ohio State University from 1986 to 1989, an Assistant director of the Career Development & Placement division at Wittenberg University. She also used her skills in the corporate world where she was a training specialist for the Syscon Corporation, was a human resource department instructor for the Nationwide Insurance Company and had an administrative role at the Ohio State Medical Association. However, her favorite and most rewarding experience was with The Wellington School as Dean of Students for their middle school and taught advanced mathematics from 2010 to 2023. Cheryl was well-recognized for her personal and professional contributions to Wellington and was named Woman of the Week by Executive Elements in May 2016. She participated in many education-related organizations. She was blessed by having her two children, Jaedon and Maya with her former spouse Bharat Nauriyal. The kids have benefitted from having such a kind, caring, and devoted mother who gladly made whatever personal sacrifices necessary to be their mother and ultimately also their friend. She married John Geoffrey Allen, M.D. on Saturday, February 19, 2011, and with her children and his two sons, Riley and Eliot from a previous marriage, creating a new family of six which has been wonderful for all. She enjoyed spending time with her family, playing tennis, snow skiing, going for walks after work, mani/pedis, planting flowers, shopping online, watching the Bravo channel, and listening to Abraham Hicks’ podcasts before work with a fresh cup of coffee. Helping people be their best and supporting Wellington students and their parents negotiate the circuitous path of growth. Cheryl was strong, calm, balanced, trustworthy, loyal, and her love and support were unconditional. Some of her favorite memories were when Geoff proposed to her on the bank of his family’s island on the French River in Ontario on a beautiful evening as the sun was setting and going for evening boat rides in the family’s Greavette. Cheryl had a beaming smile, infectious laugh, and was both a joy and a blessing to all who knew her. Family will receive friends from 4-7 P.M. Monday, March 27, 2023 at Schoedinger Northwest, 1740 Zollinger Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43221. A memorial service will be held at 3 P.M. Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at First Community Church (South) Burkhardt Chapel, 1320 Cambridge Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43212. Memorial contributions may be made to the OhioHealth Arthur G.H. Bing, MD, Cancer Center in her memory, or to the charity of your choice. https://foundation.ohiohealth.com/bing/cancer-services-giving