Cheryl Anne Marek

Cheryl was born January 31, 1984 in San Diego, California to Jane and Bruce Marek. She spent her elementary and high school years growing up in Wilmington, North Carolina, participating in almost every activity available: dance, gymnastics, t-ball, soccer, Girl Scouts, sailing at the Carolina Yacht Club, swimming, scuba diving and track/cross-country. In later years she narrowed her passions to swimming, sailing at the Hampton (VA) Yacht Club, kayaking, skiing, hiking, biking, camping, cross-fit, RV-ing, EMT-ing, and training her service dog.

Cheryl graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from NC State in 2006 and a Masters in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland in 2008. She earned her Professional Engineering License (P.E.) in Fire Protection Engineering in 2009. Continuing on her education while working, Cheryl was a fire protection engineer at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) when she was diagnosed with cancer on June 21, 2018. Her goal was to make it to 5 years survival, which she succeeded a week prior to her death. During that time she continued working on her PhD in Civil Engineering Project Management, and successfully defended her dissertation while in Hospice care this May, and was awarded her Doctorate on May 22, 2023.

Dr. Cheryl Anne Marek, P.E. PhD’s research topic was in Naval Fire Protection. NAVSEA (Naval Sea Systems Command) designated Cheryl an “Honorary Naval Reserve Duty Officer”, “in consideration of her lifelong commitment to engineering through academics, service as a naval fire protection engineer, and passion for the sea itself.” Cheryl previously also worked at Huntington-Ingalls Shipyard in Newport, News, VA, and on several diverse D.O.D. (Dept. of Defense) projects and D.O.E. (Dept of Energy) nuclear fire protection.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by her brother: Bryan Marek and his wife, Corinne; a niece: Camryn Marek and a nephew: Brayden Marek, her grandparents: Richard and Evelyn Spellerberg, many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Special Friends, and her service dog, Kelly.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at Coble Funeral & Cremation Service at Greenlawn Memorial Park. 1155 Shipyard Boulevard, Wilmington, NC 28412.

A Funeral Mass will be held for Cheryl at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 6, 2023 at St. Mark's Catholic Church, 1013 Eastwood Road, Wilmington, NC 28403.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations can be made to the University of Maryland, Fire Protection Engineering General Scholarship Fund in memory of Cheryl Marek. Contributions will be tax-deductible. Checks should be made payable to the UMCP Foundation, 4603 Calvert Rd, College Park. MD 207 40 (Please note gift in memory of Cheryl Marek in memo section).

Gifts can also be made online at https://giving.umd.edu/giving/fund.php?name:fire-protection-engineering-general-scholarship-fund for the FPE General Scholarship, in memory of Cheryl Marek. Please include a notation that the gift is in Memory of Cheryl Marek.

The Family would like to thank all of her doctors and nurses at Duke University Hospital and the Lower Cape Fear Life Care Center, as well as family and friends who have shared in Cheryl’s Journey with prayers and love. Cheryl was loved beyond measure.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CobleGreenlawn.com for the Marek family.