Cherrill A. Flynn

Throughout her 92 years, Cherrill was fortunate to overlay her life with a wonderful loving family and caring friends. She is survived by five children: Dianna Skiles (Patrick); Anita Laurila (Robert); Sandra Turner (Chris); John Flynn (Miwako); and Margaret Finestone (Justin). Cherrill is also survived by 11 grandchildren: Courtney Skiles (Sheikh); Deirdre Robinson (Joe); Andrew Laurila (Karianne); Michael Laurila (Partner Olivia); Jeffrey Turner (Megan); Rebecca Roy (Dave); Meredith Turner; Sean Flynn; Yuna Flynn, Benjamin Finestone; Jordan Finestone (Angelique), and five great grandchildren: Myra Sheikh; Sylvia Sheikh; Sloane Laurila; Jack Laurila; and Parker Roy. Also survived by brother Robert Callis, and sister Beverly Zaragoza.

Cherrill was active in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She also made connections with people from all walks of life and had many friends. She was spiritual, a passionate reader, and loved art, theater, and music.

Cherill believed deeply in human rights and justice for all people. Her intellect and strong empathy came through in every conversation she had. She was politically engaged and worked toward social justice throughout her lifetime. Her passions were working toward racial justice, access to high quality education, gender equity, civil rights, and women’s rights. She was resilient, organized, brave, and powerful.

Cherrill was the first born of Clara Ruth (Main) Callis and Wayne Edwin Callis on October 24, 1932, in Galesburg, Illinois. She spent her early years in the farmlands of Illinois, Fort Benning, Georgia, and the city and suburbs of Chicago. Her first five years of formal education were spent in a one-room schoolhouse in Altona, Illinois. She graduated from Batavia High School with high honors in 1950. Cherrill received her undergraduate degree in Special Education from Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University) in 1954 where she met her future husband, Dale Flynn. They were married in 1955, and both pursued careers in Special Education.

While raising five children, Cherrill earned her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Wayne State University. In 1973 Cherrill returned to professional life as an Early Childhood Special Education consultant at the Oakland Intermediate School District. During her career Cherrill was honored by her colleagues with numerous awards, including the Michigan Division of Early Childhood Educator of the Year, the Michigan Project Find Service Award; and the Selma Fraiberg Infant Mental Health Award. These awards demonstrated her passion and dedication to young children with special needs and their families.

Cherrill loved giving time to the community including the following organizations: St. John Fisher Church ministries, Rochester Area Neighborhood House, Rochester Community Chorus, Band of Angels Foundation, the Democratic Party, and Canterbury on the Lake. She was fortunate to have traveled with family and friends all over the United States and abroad, including England, Ireland, Japan, France, Italy, Africa, Russia, Ukraine, and the Arctic Circle.

In 1987, Cherrill created the Dale and Cherrill Flynn Special Education Memorial Trust. The trust awards an annual scholarship to a Ferndale School District student with disabilities to attend a summer enrichment program. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dale and Cherrill Flynn Special Education Scholarship Fund (Venmo: @dcflynnscholarship, or check made out to DCFlynnScholarship and sent to Sandra Turner, 6232 Lake Waldon Court, Clarkston, MI 48346).

A Celebration Of Life for Cherrill will be held on December 21, 2024 at Canterbury On The Lake Chapel,

5601 Hatchery Road Waterford, MI 48329, with visitation from 9 AM to 11 AM and a service being held at 11AM.