Cheryll Ann Lover

On April 27th, 2025, the community lost a great storyteller. In honor of Cheryll Ann Lover, “raise your hand if you’ve heard this one before.”

Cheryll was the 2nd of 7 children, born May 29, 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio to Charles J. Pharmer and mother, Margaret M. Pharmer (Mundorf). She passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family and joins her husband Bill, son John, brothers Darrell and Brion Pharmer, niece Robin Taylor, great-niece Emmi Simone Taylor and sister-in-law, Debbie Pharmer in Heaven.

Cheryll’s life was guided by her enduring love of God. Whether being a fearless Witness for the unborn, connecting with kids on their level, or sharing her unique spirit with her family and friends -- her life was full of loving relationships, touched and guided by her fellowship with Jesus Christ. Cheryll will be remembered as a teller of tales. With the slight cock to her head, a twinkle of the eye and a smile, she loved to tell a story, reminisce, or wax nostalgically about the past.

Cheryll’s life of service, compassion and encouragement began with her Catholic upbringing, with added guidance from the good sisters of Yakima’s St. Paul’s elementary and Tacoma’s all-girls Aquinas Academy, where in 1962, she graduated from high school. Cheryll then earned a BA in English from Central Washington University in 1966 -- and started a new teaching job in Everett, WA that same year. It was here she met her husband Bill, and they were married at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Yakima, in 1967. The Lord blessed this union with 5 children and 53 years of marriage. Cheryll and Bill welcomed their first child, John, in 1968. She then settled into her life as an Air Force Mom on McChord AFB and the couple added Ellen (1971), Matthew (1972), Timothy (1978) and Marcus (1982). Cheryll loved each of her children unconditionally, and her kids deeply loved their mother back.

Cheryll was a woman in constant motion, pouring herself into everything she did, and collecting ‘her people’ along the way – many of whom were found in the numerous groups and gigs she joined. The paid gigs included home daycare, House of Real Estate bookkeeping, St. Paul’s school secretary (with profound gratitude to Stephanie Walsh for hiring and rescuing Cheryll amidst the heartache of losing her son, John), Capital Theater usher and Costco sample lady. But her children will be forever grateful for her unpaid gig as rock-solid ‘Mom.’

The groups Cheryll belonged to filled her with happiness and were often tethered to her faith. Cheryll was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Parish and a sister of the Young Ladies Institute, where she was blessed with many lasting friendships. She sang with Bel Canto Yakima and the St. Paul’s Choir, volunteered at Camp Prime Time, and in her later years, donated much time serving at several local food banks. In recent years, Cheryll was delighted to reconnect with her St. Paul’s elementary schoolmates for monthly reunion lunches at Reno’s restaurant. Cheryll made friends wherever she went, and the importance of nurturing these connections was the fuel to her life. From the bottom of our hearts, the family expresses its deep gratitude to the good people within each of these organizations for loving our Mom back!

How can we forget Cheryll’s fierce competitive nature that has been passed onward to her children. She taught and helped her youngest how to play Scrabble until he started beating her. Mom was always up for a game of dominos or the marble game. Her spot at the family game table will surely be missed, as will her dry sense of humor, infectious laugh, quick wit, and that wry smile.

Cheryll is survived by her children, Ellen Lewis (Rodney, Zach), Matt Lover (Julie, Charlie), Timothy Lover, Marcus Lover, sisters Marilyn Taylor (Quirt, Jennifer, Shelby), Michele Sargent (Wayne, Erin), Denise Pharmer (Sarah), brother Chris Pharmer (Carol, Ryan, Melissa, Megan) and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Cheryll will be missed, remembered, and loved by so many. Please join us Tuesday, May 20th, 2025, at Keith & Keith for her viewing from 2pm to 7pm to include a vigil service at 5pm. Funeral mass will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday, May 21st, 2025, at 10am, with burial at Terrace Heights Cemetery following the service. A reception at St. Paul’s school cafeteria will follow the burial. In lieu of flowers, please kindly donate to Camp Prime Time, campprimetime.org.