Cheryl Tarantino

December 23, 1956 – December 10, 2025

Cheryl Lynn Tarantino, lovingly known as “Cherie,” passed peacefully on December 10, 2025, at the age of 68, in Vero Beach, Florida, surrounded by the people she loved most—her devoted husband Frank, her sons Justin and James, her daughters-in-law Marilou and Nadia, her sister Barbie, and her cherished grandchildren Juna and Noah. She died as she lived: held in love, grace, and deep connection.

Born on December 23, 1956, in Albany, New York, Cherie’s life was defined by love, generosity, and an unmatched devotion to family. She was the heart and soul of her family—a fiercely loving, endlessly giving mother whose life revolved around showing up for the people she loved. She was selfless, gentle, stubborn as hell, unwaveringly resilient, and deeply present. If someone needed support, comfort, or a home-cooked meal, Cherie was already there.

If you had the privilege of knowing Cherie, then you already know — she was the best mom a son could ever ask for. She was the mom who never missed a moment—every baseball game, football game, soccer match, gymnastics meet, concert, school play, field trip, and performance. But she was never just a mom to her own children — she was also a mother to so many others. Cherie treated everyone who walked through her door like family. Her home was a place of warmth, safety, laughter, and unconditional acceptance. Her love knew no boundaries, no labels, and no limits. She was the safe place for her sons’ friends, the welcoming home with an open door and a full table, the “cool mom” who never judged and always listened. Her hugs reassured. She gave without keeping score, loved without conditions, and showed up without being asked. The world is undeniably dimmer without her light, but heaven is immeasurably richer to receive the best mom the world ever knew. Cherie had a remarkable gift for bringing people together. Her cooking was legendary—made with love, generosity, and heart that turned gatherings into memories.

Though she was highly accomplished professionally—an exceptional accountant who loved working with numbers and was deeply respected as a private CPA—Cherie made a powerful and intentional choice to step away from a high-paying accounting career to focus on raising her sons. Being a mom was her calling, the hardest and most underappreciated job in the world—and she was extraordinary at it. Through her tireless love and hard work, she put her sons through private school, supported them as high-performing athletes, guided them through college, and watched them become successful men. In her final moments, both her sons were by her side, holding her hand as she took her last breath—a testament to the bond she spent a lifetime building.

She shared a deep, joyful partnership with her loyal and loving husband Frank, whom she loved traveling with and building a life alongside. Together, they camped every summer at Rogers Rock in the Adirondacks near Lake George, skied the mountains of the Northeast, hiked the Catskills, celebrated holidays with extended family in Queens and Amsterdam, New York, and took annual road trips to South Florida and Montauk to be with loved ones by the sea. Cherie loved to golf with her mom, soak up the sun on the beach, and embrace life’s simple pleasures.

Cherie found peace and happiness in nature, especially with her feet in the sand on the beach. She loved jazz music, dancing, hiking, gardening, animals—especially her beloved dogs—as well as deer, horses, and dolphins. She was happiest outdoors: on lakes, rivers, mountain creeks in New York, by the pool in her backyard, or on the ocean and intracoastal waters of Florida. She adored sunsets, spontaneous picnics with a view, and being fully present with her family and friends.

One of the great joys of her life was her grandchildren, Juna and Noah, with whom she shared a uniquely special bond. She fought fiercely to spend as much time with them as possible, pouring into them the same unconditional love that defined her life.

On a month-long, unforgettable trip to Europe, Cherie celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary and visited her son James while he was living in France with Marilou and her family. They explored Paris, Provence, the French Alps, and camped all over Italy—soaking in beauty, culture, and connection. Shortly thereafter, she returned to Florida, where she and Frank had first met in college, completing a beautiful full-circle chapter of her life.

Cherie is survived by her beloved husband, Frank; her sons, Justin and James; their wives, Marilou and Nadia; her treasured grandchildren, Juna and Noah; her mother and biological father, Beatrice and Walt; her sisters, Barbie and Lizzy; her younger cousin Lianna—who she thought of as the daughter she never had—and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins who will forever carry her love with them.

She is reunited in eternal peace with her adopted father, Glenn; her mother-in-law and sister, Patricia and Lucille; her daughter-in-law’s father Frederic; her niece, Alicia; several aunts and uncles, and her loyal dogs, Butch, Sundance, Star, and Dolly — a reunion filled with love, familiarity, and grace.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held on January 10th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Aycock Funeral Home in Fort Pierce, Florida. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather, remember, and celebrate the extraordinary life and boundless love Cherie brought into this world.

Flowers are welcome. For those who wish, donations may be made in Cherie’s honor to one of the following causes that reflect her love for life:

Defenders of Wildlife: Protecting wildlife and the natural world — a cause that reflects Cherie’s compassion and care for all living beings. https://defenders.org

Horse Rescue - GiveSendGo | Healing Hearts Healing Hooves - https://www.givesendgo.com/Frostlin

Second Chance Church TT: 741 NW Virginia St, Port St Lucie, FL 34983\

Though she has left this earth, Cheryl Lynn Tarantino’s love remains — in the way we gather, the way we care for one another, and the way we choose love, every single day. Cherie’s legacy lives on in every life she touched, every meal shared, every moment she showed up, and every ounce of love she gave so freely. She was, and will always be, the heart of her family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Aycock Funeral Home, located at 6026 N US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, on January 10, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

A Memorial Service will follow at the same location on January 10, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.