Died as she lived, quietly and with the love of her family all around her. Though her cancer was aggressive and the journey with it brief, Cheryl’s inner strength and determination to live on her own terms never wavered. If determination alone could have beat this awful disease, Cheryl would be with us still; we are in awe of her strength and will remember her for it.
A respected researcher and archivist, Cheryl was known and trusted for her knowledge of Canadian music history, in particular, the life and work of Glenn Gould. Her articles about music appeared in the Encyclopedia of Music in Canada, Canadian Encyclopedia and Historica Canada, and in encyclopedias in the US. A proud graduate of Carleton University, Cheryl made a lasting impact on the lives of many young piano and music students early in her own university life, supporting her studies through teaching for many years. She was the first in her family to earn a university degree, graduating with a Bachelor of Music and a Master’s of Music, Canadian Studies, before returning to school later in life to complete her archival certification.
Cheryl’s career with Library and Archives Canada (LAC) spanned more than three decades and in that time she documented the life’s work of thousands of Canada’s cultural professionals. She dedicated endless hours to the digitization and accessibility of Canadian cultural records. Cheryl enjoyed many opportunities as a result of her work in Ottawa and Gatineau and spoke highly of the people she encountered, particularly Michel Pelletier, her latest Director.
Cheryl will be remembered most by her family. Beloved daughter of the late Ernest David Gillard (deceased) and Reta Kathryne Gillard (Beaudette), Cheryl was born in 1957 as the St. Lawrence Seaway project was forever altering the path of the great St. Lawrence River she loved so much. Though Cheryl moved as a very young child with her parents and older sister from the historic riverside village of Aultsville to the new town of Ingleside, she returned throughout her life to the community and held dear all the ‘lost villages’ that remained in her heart as they do for so many who experienced relocation as a result of the Seaway.
Cheryl leaves many to mourn. Her mother, Reta, her two sisters, Carolyne (Broderick) and Jennifer (Gillard,) and their spouses (David Broderick and Stephen Della Casa), of Cobourg, her god-daughters and nieces, Sarah Broderick (Justin Oberson) of Toronto and Sophia Della Casa of Mississauga, her nephew Jonathan Broderick (Merle Henderson) of London, England, and her great-nephew, Jack (Oberson), as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. Cheryl held treasured memories in her heart of good times with all.
The family extends thanks to Kaila, Stefan, Dino and Anne-Marie, for seemingly small but immensely meaningful acts of kindness and support in Cheryl’s final days, the Ottawa Paramedic Service, community drivers George and Barry of Good Companions, and, especially, the exceptional care team at the Ottawa General Hospital.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Lahaie & Sullivan Cornwall Funeral Homes, 20 Seventh St. West, 613-932-8482. Please join Cheryl’s loved ones for a celebration of her life on Thursday, June 30 at Lahaie & Sullivan. Public visitation from 12:30 to 1:30 PM. In-person service to begin at 1:30 PM with interment at St. Lawrence Valley Cemetery, Long Sault, to follow. Live-stream option available at https://funeraweb.tv/diffusions/56265 . Memorial donations may be made in Cheryl’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Sarah McLachlan Foundation. Messages of condolence may be left at www.lahaiesullivan.ca
Cheryl taught us that, in the end, it is the simplest gestures that can mean the most. A listening ear, a kind smile, a word of encouragement…a small, carefully chosen gift. More important than any donation or bouquet, we ask that you try to honour her memory, as we will, by showing kindness to all, unconditionally, and keeping a song in your heart.
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