Ann Catherine Cherry

Born on Oct. 12, 1930, Ann died peacefully at home on Dec. 5, 2013 with her husband, Jim by her side. She will now join the Lord and her parents, Bernard and Alma and her brother, Bob. Ann is survived by her sisters, Mary and Dorothy, and her husband of 56 years, Jim along with her children Marshal (Nancy), Mark (Pam), Chris, Catherine, David (Shelley), Robert (Clarice), Keith (Rosanne) and Lisa as well as 15 grandchildren. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ann was an Air Force enlistee from 1949-52. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Cincinnati Univ. in‘56 and then became the first commissioned woman officer from Cincinnati in the US Air Force. In ‘57, Ann was stationed at Mather AFB when she met and married fellow 2nd Lt. Jim Cherry. The newly married officers were transferred to Little Rock, Ark. in ‘58 where Ann, now a 1st Lt., was honorably discharged to have the first of her eight children. Air Force life sent their growing family of then six to Rapid City, S.D. Later, as a now family of ten, the Cherry’s were off to Columbus, Miss. then to Puerto Rico and lastly back to Mather AFB in ‘71 where they could finally put down roots. Catholic education and her faith were very important to Ann. She and Jim sacrificed to send their kids to St. John Vianney, St. Pius, St. Francis and Christian Brothers High Schools. Upon being an empty nester, Ann was a volunteer with Stephen Ministries, Sac Food Bank, Sac Quilt Guild and the County Board of Elections. She enjoyed gardening, reading and traveling the United States. She was a quiet patriot. But Ann’s greatest life impact came in her role as mother. By her nature, she led a quiet life, but her daily example to her kids of living with faith, charity, patience, kindness, humor, humility, decency, modesty, grace, practicality, appreciation and fortitude was a gift to us all. She had a wonderful laugh that was music to our ears. She was a world-class listener and converser and always, always made time for us to do both. We strive to carry-on her example with all the people in our lives. Thank you for being such a beautiful person, Mom. Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Fri., Dec.13 from 5-8 (Vigil Service at 6:30) at Nicoletti, Culjis and Herberger Funeral Home, 5401 Folsom Blvd in Sacramento and a funeral mass on Sat., Dec. 14 at 11:00 at St. Ignatius Church, 3235 Arden Way in Sacramento. Reception to follow at Sierra Arden United Church, 890 Morse Ave.