Cheryl Linn Fuentes

1965-2018

Cheryl Linn Fuentes, 52, of Alexandria passed away peacefully in her home on September 4th after a four year battle with breast cancer. She was a loving and devoted mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. Cheryl entered into this world on December 31st, 1965, in Bay City, Michigan, the daughter of Albert Andrew Greniuk, Sr. and Judith Greniuk (King). She had 4 siblings; Cynthia, Kristal, Albert, and Holly. She grew up on a working farm and enjoyed many return visits throughout the years.

She graduated from Standish Sterling Central High School in 1984, Michigan State University in 1988, and received a Masters in Linguistics from Georgetown University in 1993. She also studied at the University of Stockholm in Stockholm, Sweden and studied abroad in Quito, Ecuador via Georgetown. During the Summer of 1984, Cheryl worked as an Au Pair in NYC.

After moving to Alexandria, she started her professional career in in 1993 as a project manager working at Development Associates. There she met her future husband, Alfredo Medardo Fuentes. They wed on October 10, 1998 at St. Rita Catholic Church. She had three loving children, Victor (born 1999), Alfredo A.(born 2002), and Christina (born 2006).

Professionally, she continued her career at the Arlington County REEP Program as a Teacher Trainer and ESL Teacher. She subsequently spent 12 years at Arlington County Government in the roles of parent educator and coordinator for the Project Family program in family and child protective services. She was awarded Arlington’s 2018 “Ally in Prevention” by Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) of Northern Virginia for her work.

In her spare time, she was an avid volunteer. She was the Treasurer of Little Hunting Park, Treasurer for the Carl Sandburg orchestra, a soccer, softball and baseball coach, classroom volunteer, 4-H leader for Mt. Vernon Awesome Adventures Club.

Cheryl was an active member of St. Rita’s church, in fact her second date with Alfredo was a bicycle trip to church. She loved the many visits from family and friends, always hosting many gatherings for special occasions. She enjoyed reading, gardening, museum tours, zoo visits, picnics in the park and family beach holidays. Her love of travel allowed her to explore all of Europe, Scandinavia, the Soviet Union, Latin America, Southeastern United States, and her beloved State of Michigan.

With the organization, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, she was a Hear My Voice volunteer, produced the bilingual “First Steps After Diagnosis” video, and wrote the blog, Caregivers Are a Key Part Life- Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Cheryl is survived by her husband, Alfredo M. Fuentes; sons, Victor and Alfredo and daughter, Christina. Also, by her mother Judith (King) Greniuk, her siblings: Cynthia Luczak, Kristal (John) Wioncek, D.D.S., Albert Greniuk Jr. (Carol McIlwain), and Holly Joshi. Nieces and nephews Matt and Megan Luczak, Katrina and Elena Wioncek, Tyler McIlwain, and Adriana Huezo Fuentes.

She is preceded in death by in-laws, Maria Julia Fuentes, Medardo Huezo Fuentes, Guillermo N. Huezo Fuentes, Guillermo Sr. and Victoria Fuentes, Jose R. Fuentes, M.D., and Douglas Luczak; and her father, Albert Greniuk Sr.

A visitation for Cheryl will be held Monday, September 10, 2018 from 5pm until 8pm at Demaine Funeral Home, Old Town Alexandria. A Mass of Christian Burial will occur Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 11am at St Rita Catholic Church, 3815 Russell Rd, Alexandria, VA 22305. A graveside service will follow the Mass at Ivy Hill Cemetery, 2823 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Cheryl's memory may be made to: