My Dear friend Cheryl,
I will hold you in my heart forever.  Our memories together are full of fun, joy and laughter,... lots and lots of laughter.  We lost touch for many years and were so happy to reconnect, just last year. When I walked into that restaurant where I was catching up with you and Sammy in Seattle, on your return from an Alaskan cruise, we couldn't stop hugging and crying and smiling, all at the same time. It was like only a short time had passed since we had seen each other. We picked right up,  our connection hadn't wavered, not one bit. You my friend, are one in a million, a shining star, a warrior, a gentle kind spirit of amazing strength and compassion.  I am so grateful for our visit in Seattle. We made lots of plans to travel together, visit each other,... so much to look forward to. Losing you is heartbreaking to me, to SO, SO many. You will never be forgotten, your light will continue to lift us up, shine brightly on us in our dark times, as you always did.  All those wonderful memories will hold us until we see you on the other side. Rest easy, friend,... and shine on, my sweet Cheryl, I love you.❤ 

Cheryl has such a special place in my heart.  Many of my patients who get a diagnosis of IPF become more insular with time, but Cheryl took this diagnosis and opened up her life to inspire and help others.  She is one of the strongest people I've ever met and I was inspired by her spirit, caring and compassion.  She found joy in helping others, from the love of her family, and in fighting to ensure she continued to live the kind of life she wanted to live.  I cried when I heard that she died.  As a physician, there are patients who touch your heart who you then carry with you for decades after they are gone.  Cheryl is one of these patients for me.  Much love to her family, especially Sammy and Tony.  I am honored that Cheryl let me take care of her and I will always wish that I could have done more for her. 

My best friend ever.  Shared 25 years together.  We shared everything. Your Babies and everything else . I have never been as close to anyone as you.  I will miss you more than you can believe. I know I will see you soon. Love You.

I have many great memories of my time with Cheryl, but one of the ones that stands out is the time we went to the Pro-Am golf tournament at Pebble Beach.  I was working for Greenbergs and had been given great passes which gave us access to all the vendors giving out merchandise.  I can't remember the particular vendor's tent we were at, when both Cheryl and I acknowledged that the free stuff they were giving away was REALLY NICE.  As we were leaving the tent Cheryl gave me that sly little smile of hers and suggested that we could go back for a second time if we looked different.  We traded outfits and went right back in....We left with some really good stuff and of course laughing the whole way!!


A few years ago my mom took myself, my sister Kaleigh, and two of her friends up north to Clearlake where we rented a cabin. On the very last night before we left Clearlake my sister and her friends had decided to go look at the stars in the clearing a few hundred feet away. Everything else was fairly average about that night but then my mom said to me “we should go sneak up and scare your the girls while they are all distracted.” My mom was already 2 years into her IPF diagnosis and was having trouble breathing but none of that mattered to her. She and I took our time sneaking around until we were close enough to spook the girls and then we yelled and screamed and the girls freaked out! My mom and I couldn’t stop laughing... it was a really good time. I’ll hang onto it forever ♾ 

OBITUARY

Mrs. Cheryl Ann Salazar

May 7, 1961 – May 28, 2019

Lima Family Milpitas-Fremont Mortuary and Cedar Lawn Cemetery

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