Cheryl Anne Polen

Cheryl A. Polen 78, of Cary, passed away Saturday, June 28, 2025, at WakeMed Cary Hospital. Cheryl was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada on October 7, 1946, to John and Rhea Burtwell. Cheryl grew up in the Detroit area and got her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Western Michigan University. She worked as a flight attendant for United Airlines for several years before returning to Western Michigan University to obtain her master’s degree in Mobility for the Blind. For several years, she volunteered with the radio reading service of Horizons for the Blind in the Chicago area.

It was in the Spring of 1975 that she met her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who changed her from the inside out, and proved to be her best friend for the rest of her life. She often remarked that she never knew real love until she had met Jesus. He truly was (and still is) the love of her life. In 1982, she met the earthly love of her life, Steve Polen, whom she married in 1983. Cheryl and Steve were soul mates and best earthly friends until the day of her departure, over 42 years later. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, and by her older brother Greg. She is survived by her younger brother, Doug, as well as her husband Steve, and by their precious canine daughter Maggie (a.k.a. Princess Margaret).

Cheryl had a compassionate heart for serving and encouraging those who were handicapped or elderly. She often visited nursing homes to spread the love and encouragement that was in her heart. She will be sorely missed, but we rejoice that she is now experiencing God’s eternal love in person. Because Jesus lives, she lives also. Many years ago, Cheryl specified that she wanted this truth expressed at her funeral, and she chose this song as her final word to us:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoRGixkuVsg