Cheryl Ross

Cheryl was born on February 11, 1957 to Ron and Frankie Ross in Columbus, Ohio.

After Cheryl graduated from Whetstone High School in Columbus, OH in 1974, she went on to achieve her Bachelors at Northwestern University, Masters in Business at UCLA and her Graduate degree in IT at Northwestern University.

After a graduate degree in Business Administration, she started her first job at Frito Lay as a Brand Manager, kickstarting a 30-year career in Marketing, Product Management and Consumer Research. Throughout her career, Cheryl served as the Brand Manager at Kraft Foods, Director of Marketing at Spiegel/Eddie Bauer, Senior Marketing Consultant at Accenture, and Director of Merchandising & Sales Development at Sears Roebuck & Co.

In 1984, Cheryl met Jim Lacey at Lakeshore Athletic Club in Chicago, IL. Cheryl and Jim went on to raise their two children, Jason and Christie in Glen Ellyn, IL.

In 2012, Cheryl retired from her rewarding business career and spent her time swimming, hiking, dancing, participating in book clubs, cultivating deep relationships with friends and traveling throughout the west and overseas. She was a lifetime student and had a voracious thirst for knowledge. Cheryl was more interested in getting to know others than talking about herself. She was a critical thinker and was known for her thought-provoking questions. She looked for the best in everybody and was always impeccable with her word. Cheryl exuded friendship and goodwill. She was a dear friend to many and had a contagious laughter and a beaming smile that lit up the room. Cheryl loved bright colors in her clothing, her home’s interior decoration and the flowering plants blooming in her Arizona yard. May her memory be for a blessing.

Cheryl was predeceased by her parents, Ron and Frankie. She is survived by her: Husband James Lacey; Children Jason Lacey and Christie Lacey; Sister Robin Ross Lang; Aunt Peggy Meisel; Cousins Phil Ross, Greg Meisel & Jody Meisel; Father and Mother-in-Law James and Georgette Lacey; Brother-in-Laws David Lang, Terry Lacey, Michael Yoham, Sam Boliha; Sister-in-Laws Maria Yoham, Juanita Boliha, Lisa Lacey; Cheryl’s nieces and nephews – Michael Lang, Jennifer Lang, Victoria Rice, Joseph Yoham, Layla Lovelock, Sam Boliha, Alex Lacey, Katarina Lacey, Connor Lacey.

The Celebration of Life Services will be held at the Saguaro Center in Sun City Festival at 26275 W Morrow Dr., Buckeye, AZ 85396 on April 23, 2022 from 10:00am-2:00pm and will be live streamed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Sierra Club, an organization Cheryl felt strongly about.

Cheryl Lee Ross Service

04/23/2022—Saguaro Center 26275 W Morrow Dr, Buckeye, AZ 85396—10:00 am

I’d like to share some wise words from an unknown author titled, A Life That Matters.

A Life That Matters

Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours, days.

All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else.

Your wealth, fame, and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.

It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.

Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear.

So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will expire.

The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.

It won't matter where you came from, or on what side of the tracks, you lived.

At the end, whether you were beautiful or brilliant,

male, or female, even your skin-color won't matter.

So, what will matter?

How will the value of your days be measured?

What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built.

Not what you got, but what you gave.

What will matter is not your success, but your significance.

What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage,

or sacrifice that enriched, empowered, or encouraged others.

What will matter is not your competence, but your character.

What will matter is not how many people you knew,

but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone.

What will matter is not your memories,

but the memories that live in those who loved you.

Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice.

Good morning and welcome—my name is Becky Hinton, and I am honored to be the Life Celebrant today, as we gather to celebrate the life and mourn the death of Cheryl Lee Ross, who lived each day with intention, purpose, and love.

Her life mattered to each person here, and we join hearts together in support of Cheryl’s loving family. She leaves behind her beloved husband of 34 years, Jim,

son, Jason, daughter, Christie, sister, Robin, extended family members, and a multitude of fantastic friends.

We gather today because that’s what people do. Since the beginning of time, it has been part of the human condition that we stop and acknowledge the death of someone.

To give honor to a life lived, and to begin to figure out what that loss means to the ones left behind. To provide a sacred space for the pain and grief. To establish the significance and unique aspects of a life lived and begin the first shaky steps toward reconstructing a new reality.

When a woman who was such a large presence in so many lives, is suddenly gone, and before anyone was ready, the need for a safe gathering of those who loved her, is even more necessary. It is in the tears and stories that each of you can find comfort and healing. So, we gather today because that’s what people do.

A life of consequence leaves behind more photographs than can be seen in our time today. The family gathered those images that best captured the essence of their beloved Cheryl, and as they cycle in the background, you’ll notice her engaging smile and zest for life.

Many ceremonies and special events begin with a candle lighting. So, we will take a few moments to concentrate on happy memories of Cheryl as candles are lit in her memory.

The lighting of a candle signifies the essence of the beautiful light found in all of us. The flame of a candle is also symbolic of the eternal flame that stands in tribute of those gone before us. Today it will represent the light and the source of warmth and comfort Cheryl provided.

We light a candle to celebrate the memories of Cheryl that will always remain in our hearts. We give thanks for her life and remember her laughter, smile, and kindness, and for the happy times we shared. We reflect on the qualities that made Cheryl special and unique and the many ways she helped shape our lives and bring out the best in us. We treasure the gift of having shared our lives with her, and we will always cherish her legacy of love. Now, we honor Cheryl and all every memory she created by inviting Jim, Jason, Christie, Robin, David, and Terry to come forward and light these candles.

Musical Choice: “Dancing in the Sky” by Dani & Lizzy

Cheryl’s story began in Columbus, Ohio, on February 11, 1957. The second child of parents, Ronald, and Francis Ross, she and her sister, Robin enjoyed a happy and fulfilling childhood. The swimming pool was the hub for the girls and their friends, and they spent a lot of time there. Cheryl was also active in gymnastics and cheerleading.

From the start, Cheryl had an insatiable curiosity and a love for reading. A wickedly smart, deep thinker, she excelled in her studies. She was open when she wanted to be but preferred flipping the attention around to interview others. With creative and thought-provoking questions, Cheryl was adept at getting folks to talk, and I’m told that with her interrogation skills, she could have surpassed Barbara Walters’ success! She even created a cheat sheet of sorts—a list of one hundred questions to consult when she ran out of ideas!

Following her graduation from Whetstone High School in 1974, Cheryl earned a business degree from Northwestern University. With aspirations of working in sales and marketing she went on to earn a master’s degree from UCLA.

Throughout a remarkable career she worked in sales, marketing, and management and was employed by half a dozen Fortune 500 companies, which necessitated moves around the country—Atlanta, Dallas, Burlington Vermont, and Chicago. Cheryl was a pioneer for women in a field that largely controlled by men. She approached every task with dedication and a laser focus. She easily homed in on each person’s strengths and weaknesses and helped them developed their skills—That insight and guidance made her an ideal mentor.

Cheryl made fitness a priority. She was a serious swimmer and trained with the master’s swim team, while living in Dallas. She also stayed active by running and attending aerobics classes. In fact, it was in an aerobics class at the Lakeshore Athletic Club in Chicago, that she met a handsome, young man named, Jim, who would change her life forever. Jim explained that there few men in class, so he walked up to a line of women, and Cheryl was the first to speak to him. He admitted he was nervous about his coordination, but she encouraged him and said, “No one’s looking, and it’s better to be in back, so you can watch and mimic everyone.” Jim survived that 6:00 am class, continued to attend, and kept running in to Cheryl. So, one Sunday, he invited her to the café to visit. Cheryl was unlike any woman he’d ever met, and he was keen on learning

more about her!

Their first official date took place at a swanky restaurant—the kind that required a dress code. They had a fabulous evening, but it wasn’t until later, that she confessed she had not been eager to dine at such a fancy place! They fell in love and just enjoyed being together for the next few years and were married in Oak Brook, Illinois on September 6, 1987. When they had time off work, they tried to get away from the city and often wound up in Wisconsin or Michigan. Jim recalled some of his fondest memories with Cheryl took place in southeastern Wisconsin at Lake Geneva. He said, “We had lots of fun on the lake enjoying each other’s company. It was just us—young and vibrant, and filled with hope for the future. “There were many joys to come—The first being the transition from coupledom to parenthood.

In November of 1989, they were thrilled to welcome their first child, a son they named, Jason. Of course, Cheryl was excited, but having no experience with babies left her feeling unsure at first. Jim, however, had younger siblings, so his knowledge and confidence certainly helped. Cheryl was a quick study, and before long, she had it all figured out! In July of 1992, they happily added another child to the mix—A daughter they named, Christie.

Author, Joyce Maynard wrote, “It’s not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can’t tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself.”

The happy family made their home in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and Cheryl was a patient, loving and involved mother. While working fulltime, she adjusted her responsibilities and made time for the kid’s activities even if they fell during the workday. She was goal oriented and driven and refused to let anything stand in her way. That meant she brought projects home and often worked ahead to accomplish everything. She introduced the kids to her love of reading, took them to toddler play group, volunteered as a room mom at school, attended Jason’s soccer and baseball games and went took Christie to gymnastics, soccer, and Girl Scout functions.

Cheryl maintained her healthy lifestyle, and when she and Jim went on early mornings runs together, they often did so while holding hands. She modeled the importance of staying active and eating nutritious meals. She found that using a crock pot made cooking much easier, and her favorite foods were salmon, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts!

Occasionally, Jason simply wanted some of the goodies he watched his classmates eat, so he’d trade his wholesome snack for a little tastier treat!

To quote author, George R.R. Martin, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies…

The man who never reads lives only one.”

With a constant stream of books to read, Cheryl was never at a loss for entertainment or enlightenment. She stayed on top of current events and took part in the Council on Foreign Relations—a biweekly group that researched and debated world news topics. She never lost her childlike wonder, she utilized technology and was excited about new innovations.

Sundays were family days. When weather permitted, they enjoyed outdoor events and trips to the park, and during frigid midwestern winters, they visited museums and other interesting indoor places. Many camping excursions were taken—usually around Illinois and Wisconsin. They also travelled to Disneyland and Disneyworld and took numerous vacations in Mexico.

It's been said that “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” And that was certainly the case for Cheryl. She grew up with dogs at home, and after Jason and Christie came along, they always had a small dog around. She and Jim joined a Bichon Rescue group for several years, they fostered dogs, and Cheryl interviewed prospective families.

She was not a conformist and preferred the uncommon. According to her husband, “Cheryl never liked ordering off the menu”—regarding food and life. She’d call restaurants ahead of time to ask if they’d make her a special dish. While car shopping, she zeroed in on a blue vehicle, but refused to settle for its basic gray seats. Cheryl wanted a blue interior and couldn’t be swayed—even when the dealer mentioned it might affect the resale value!

She was a devoted wife and mother, but her love and loyalty also extended to her relatives and friends. There are friends, and there are family, and then there are friends that become family. One of those special people was her first-year roommate at Northwestern, Barbara Levine. They became best friends and bonded like sisters. Throughout the years, they vacationed together, attended one another’s weddings, celebrated milestones, and momentous occasions. They were so tight knit, that their kids honestly believe they were cousins!

Cheryl had a beaming smile and a contagious belly laugh—she was selfless and kind and gave of her herself to both family and friends even if it was an inconvenience. She went out on a limb for the underdog and was a champion for the downtrodden—occasionally to her own social expense.

Cheryl enjoyed a fulfilling career, but by 2012, she was ready to finish working and turn the page to a new chapter called, retirement. She and Jim had no desire to tolerate more harsh winters and began searching active adult communities around the country. After a couple of years, they visited Arizona and stumbled upon an area called, Sun City Festival. They were immediately drawn to the friendliness of the community and the youth and vigor of its residents, so they packed up their belongings, including three dogs, and relocated to Festival.

Cheryl wasted no time in making friends—and joined several book clubs, a meditation group, swam and took fitness classes, went line dancing, and was on the welcoming committee for FABS also known as, Festival Area Beauties. According to Jim, Cheryl had a “fear of missing out.” He went on to explain that if two activities met at the same time, she agonized over which one to skip! And as a couple, she and Jim took pleasure in social dancing and hiking club.

Even after 34 years of marriage, Jim never knew quite what to expect from his wife. Cheryl came home one day sporting some numbers on her leg, and after asking some questions, he found out she’d just completed a mini triathlon! He said, “She probably didn’t clue me in ahead of time, because I’d say, ‘Don’t do it—It’s dangerous!’ Although surprised, he was proud of her tenacity and wiliness to try new things. He said, “She may not have been the fastest, but she finished!”

When it came to flowers, interior décor, and clothing, Cheryl favored bright colors, which included the trademark neon yellow vest she wore on walks. She displayed frog statues in and around her house and hung an assortment of windchimes along her porch and patio. When she wasn’t involved in organized activities, or reading, Cheryl enjoyed listening to the radio and was partial to classic rock and pop music. She stayed in touch with loved ones by phone, invited friends over, sat outside in the and gazed at the beautiful blooms that decorated her yard, and watched tv in the evenings with Jim.

Cheryl and Jim celebrated 34 years of marriage and maintained a strong and loving relationship. She loved being able to share her feelings was interested in getting his opinion on things. They visited Christie in Illinois and Jason in Colorado and the kids came here to see them as well. They traveled to Israel and enjoyed road trips to

California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. Cheryl was happy to have lived in such a wonderful place for the last seven years. In the future, she hoped to spend more time with family, to continue traveling and to visit France to see Jim’s aunt, Lillian.

When Cheryl’s health declined and she was no longer able to speak, something amazing happened. People picked up her comprehensive list of one hundred questions, picked a topic, and shared their responses with her. It was such a beautifully brilliant means for her to remain connected.

Cheryl was intensely proud to watch Jason and Christie mature into successful, well-adjusted adults, and she adored each phone call and visit with them! She showed them that with commitment and perseverance anything was possible.

In addition, she instilled in them a strong work ethic, an insatiable curiosity, the importance of being healthy, staying busy, being loyal, and most of all, how to love with all your heart.

Ms. Moem wrote the following poem titled, Memories Are Funny Things:

Memories are funny things.

You hear your favorite singer sing and all at once,

that voice is stored, recognizable evermore.

You visit towns, you see the sights, you feel the heat, you see the light

and that becomes a picture saved—a snapshot of a happy day.

And all you ever need to do is think about that perfect view

and all at once, you’re there once more, seeing it as you previously saw.

A scent or sound can do the same. A hint, and whoosh, you’re back again.

You’re in the room, you’re with the guy, no matter how much time’s passed by.

And if you listen close enough the voices of the ones you live

will stay inside your clever mind for you to recall, anytime!

So, soak up life and all it brings cos memories are funny things.

They’re weaved from all you see or do. Make them good. It’s up to you.

It was and honor and privilege to share so many wonderful details of Cheryl’s life. And now her family would like to add some things of their own. May her memory be for a blessing.

I’d like to invite Jim to be our first speaker.

Next, I’d like to invite Jason to share.

Now, I’d like to invite Christie to speak.

Finally, I’d like to invite Robin to share.

Each of you have special memories of Cheryl, and you will have an opportunity to share some of those moments that stand out in your mind a just a few minutes. I also encourage you to visit the funeral home website: www.surprisefuneralcare.com After locating Cheryl’s obituary page, you’ll be invited to add a memory, which some folks have already done. Each sentiment will be printed in a keepsake book along with the photos you’ve seen today.

I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. —Leo Buscaglia

Though gone from sight, the fingerprints Cheryl left you, remain. The void she left, no one can fill—Her loss is difficult to bear. But oh, what comfort you’ll find to see her prints are everywhere! They’ll show up unexpectedly, in moments and in places...In sights and sounds and scents, especially in the faces of those she touched with her warm heart and loving ways. These marks she left, no flood can wash, nor time can fade away.

Cheryl left an imprint on your hearts and minds, so to thank her and wish her well, you may leave your handprints on her urn. Your handprint is that of love and friendship

in honor of Cheryl’s life, and to the belief that “a life shared is a life to never be forgotten.”

If you would like to participate, please come forward, and place your hand upon her beautiful blue butterfly urn. Thank you all for being here to honor and pay tribute to Cheryl’s life today—this will conclude the service.

Also, on behalf of the family, I would like to invite you to stay for and join them for a reception, at which time you’re welcome to tell everyone how Cheryl brought you joy.

Musical selections: “Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

“My Way” by Seth MacFarlane