Cheryl “Cherie” Marie Riester was born on August 14, 1941 to William and Lois Riester in Mansfield, OH. Cherie grew up with three siblings and was remembered as helping her mother garden, reading a good book, or tending to her horse, Holly. Cherie attended Ohio State University, where she completed an undergraduate education degree in 1963. After a year of teaching, she decided to further her education at Michigan State University, earning a Master’s in Psychology and Counseling.
She married Jack S. Gage, Sr., from Mansfield, OH, in 1965. They lived in Evanston, IL for the first two years of their marriage, and that’s where their oldest child was born. They eventually moved back to Ohio, where both their families lived and had two more children. They divorced in 1978, and Cherie immediately returned to her professional career as a counselor for the Mansfield City Schools, where she continued to work for the next 29 years. She encouraged her children to study hard and excel in extra-curriculars, driving them all over the State for swim meets, and when she had grandchildren, she continued to travel miles and across state borders to support them in their many endeavors.
Cherie spent much of the 1990’s caring for her aging parents. Once they both passed away, Cherie moved from Ohio to St. Simons Island, GA. If asked “why,” she would reply that my happiest memories are from there. She was not yet ready to be permanently retired, so continued to work another 14 years as a guidance counselor for Brunswick County High School. She prided herself on helping students find their future potential either in college or trade school. Within her first couple years in Georgia, she met her best friend and most special “colleague” ever, James “Stewart” Pittman of Brunswick, GA. They had many adventures together over the last 20+ years and “Stew” is considered a member of the family.
When her children started families of their own, Cherie became “Mimi,” a very proud and loving grandmother. Her grandkids remember Mimi’s house as always having freshly baked cookies, a gorgeous garden, decorations for an upcoming holiday, and never a spec of dust in sight. A week on St. Simons meant relaxing at the beach, shopping for new outfits or crafting! Cherie was described as the ultimate hostess - she made grocery lists to prepare for each visit to ensure she had everyone’s favorites, she always had little gifts waiting on your bed, and she would prioritize everyone’s preferred activities: horseback riding, flying kites, searching for shells, painting pictures, or playing games. She found no greater joy than sharing in the successes and achievements of her grandchildren.
It is without a doubt that Cherie is in heaven, reunited with her parents and tending to the holy gardens. Grateful for the time we had to enjoy with her on this earth, no time would have ever been enough. With every blooming flower, she will be cherished and remembered.
Cherie was preceded in death by her parents, Lois and William Riester of Mansfield, OH, and her brother William R. Riester, Jr. of Santa Clara, CA. She is survived by her sister, Sue (D. Kim) Murray and her brother, Thomas (Lola) Riester of Mansfield, OH; her three children: Jack (and Theresa) Gage of Uniontown, OH, Callie (and Dave) Keller of Charlottesville, VA, and Matt (and Lori) Gage of Columbus, OH, and her 7 grandchildren: Annie, Caroline, Joe, and Erin Keller, Emily and Nicholas Gage, and Lilly Gage.
In Lieu of flowers, please send donations to Kingwood Center in Mansfield, Ohio where she and her mother cultivated their love for gardening and flowers.
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