Cheryl Mary Adams

Born Cheryl Mary Hassell in Oranjestad, Aruba, she was the beloved daughter of Dorothea (née Gordon) from Curaçao and George Hassell from Saba. In 1996, Cheryl moved to Canada, settling in Hamilton, Ontario, where she attended Redeemer College, pursuing her passion for theatre and music. She graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts in both fields and became certified in Orff Level 1 and Musikgarten. Soon after, she began her teaching career, nurturing her students’ understanding of music theory and performance.

On November 24, 2001, Cheryl married her one true love, Jason (Jay) Edward Adams, and together they built a life filled with love, faith, and music. In 2002, she began teaching at the Stoney Creek School of Music and opened her own home studio, where she offered private vocal and piano lessons.

From 2004 to 2024, Cheryl taught weekly group music and private piano lessons to children aged 3–5 at Ancaster Montessori School, bringing joy and melody into young hearts. In 2017, she expanded her work to include group and private lessons in piano, guitar, and ukulele for children aged 6–12 at Foundations Montessori School, where she taught for eight years. Over her 23-year career, Cheryl continued to teach private lessons from her home, fostering a lifelong love of music in every student she guided.

Cheryl’s passion for teaching and her warm, encouraging nature left a lasting impact on her students. She not only helped them develop their musical skills but also built their confidence and self-esteem. Her students and their families knew her not only as a gifted teacher but also as a friend, mentor, and life coach, whose kindness and patience touched every life she encountered.

Beyond music, Cheryl had many talents and hobbies. She loved cooking, sewing, and reading, and often reflected on life’s mysteries with a philosophical heart. She was a woman of deep faith, guided by strong values and a generous spirit. Cheryl considered her greatest blessing to be her husband Jay, with whom she shared a joyful life on the Hamilton Mountain.

Her friendly, compassionate, and warm personality will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and students, all of whom she held close to her heart. Cheryl will forever be remembered as a devoted wife, an inspiring music teacher, and a cherished friend. As her loved ones share,

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of such a truly wonderful person. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by so many.”

Cheryl was predeceased by her beloved parents, Dorothea and George Hassell of Aruba. She is survived by her husband, Jason Adams of Hamilton, ON; her sister, Vicki Duchene (Jeremy) of Aruba; her nieces, Cindy (and family) and Aimee, and her nephew, Sean, all of Aruba; and her sister-in-law, Wendy Rayner (and family) of Hamilton, ON. She is also remembered by extended family in Curaçao, the USA, and the Netherlands, along with countless friends, colleagues, and students from Canada and the Girls and Boys Club of Aruba.

A memorial service to celebrate Cheryl’s life will be held at Ryerson United Church of Ancaster, 265 Wilson St. E., Ancaster, ON, on Saturday, March 1st, at 10:00 a.m. Family, friends, colleagues, and students are warmly invited to attend and share a memory or message.

Flowers are welcome and may be sent to Ryerson United Church of Ancaster before March 1st.

Online condolences can be left at cresmountfennellchapel.com