Obituary for Cheryl Cullen
Loving wife of Jim (for 28 years). Much loved mother of Fiona (Ethan) and Declan (Holly). Dear daughter of Joyce and the late Bev Hall. Dear daughter-in-law of Jim and Sandra Cullen. Dear sister of Cindy (Doug) and Laura (Mark). Dear sister-in-law of Katherine (Victor). Forever remembered by her nieces and nephews, Leanne, Danny and Alyssa and many cousins.
Cheryl was a loving, warm, giving and self-less person in both her personal life and work life. Cheryl worked in Vocational Rehabilitation as a Return to Work Specialist for WSIB, where she made many friendships. Cheryl spent her whole work life helping people in need and she was able to utilize her inherent compassion to care for people at a very vulnerable and sometimes traumatic time in their lives. Her last position at WSIB was her favourite job where she was responsible for helping the spouses of those who had experienced the devastation of workplace fatality. The sense of purpose with being able to assist someone in that unfortunate situation, even in the smallest way, is something that Cheryl took very seriously and derived great satisfaction and personal pride in.
More than anything Cheryl believed that each day should be lived to the fullest and that the most important thing was creating memories and not collecting personal possessions. This philosophy helped her develop a kinship with the music of The Dave Matthews Band. In addition to the music, many friends were also made in course of the 90 DMB concerts they attended. Some that stick out are John, Katrina, David, Travis, Lorey, Allan and Jolene. The main attraction being the lyrics of the music that spoke of the importance of living each day to the fullest as written by a man who lost his father and sister at a young age. Many of Cheryl’s “non-DMB” friends and acquaintances found the number of DMB concerts she attended a bit of an obsession, but in reality it was really just an excuse to live life, create new experiences and most of all spend time with her best friend and lover. She later traded Dave Matthews Band concerts for a Disney World Annual pass where she later enjoyed many trips to Mickey’s Wonderland in Florida with her family and friends.
Cheryl was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in January of 2019. True to Cheryl’s giving, loving and selfless manner her first thoughts were of her family and how they might manage the devastating diagnosis. From that first diagnosis Cheryl made the decision to live the best version of herself, every single day. She bravely made it through surgery and four subsequent rounds of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, her Cancer was an unexpected and unappreciated guest on a yearly basis. Cheryl bore this all with a smile on her face and optimism. She helped to raise money for Ovarian Cancer and participated as an Ambassador for the Windsor/Essex Cancer Foundation’s “lock out cancer” event. She was able to find great friendship and support with her friends Andrea and Shannon – her “teal sisters”.
Friendship and travel were important to Cheryl. She experienced many great trips to places like Jost Van Dyke, Aruba, Vancouver Island, California, Oregon, Florida, New Orleans, Prince Edward Island, Vermont, Maui and Washington many of these trips with her two favourite people, her children Fiona and Declan. Many others with her close friends Steve & Kelly, Danielle & Paul, Ken & Ann Marie and her confidant and Sister Cindy and her husband Doug.
Cheryl was pronounced “No Evidence of Disease” (NED) in early 2022 and she along with her husband Jim made a commitment to travel some place every month and live her life to the fullest not knowing how many more trips her unwelcomed “friend” would allow her to make. Unfortunately, by the summer of this 2022 she knew her Cancer had returned, however, despite this knowledge had a wonderful vacation in Cowichan Bay British Columbia with great friends while being limited to eating only soup and seafood chowder due to the growth of tumours. Soon after returning from British Columbia, Cheryl started treatment and was able to squeeze in one last wonderful trip to Smuggler’s Notch Vermont with Jim, her sister Cindy and Doug. Ironically, to the same place that Cheryl and Jim spent their first vacation together nearly 30 years ago.
Cheryl leaves this world too early, but still having made many indelible impressions on friends and family. Her greatest regret is not being able to continue to watch her two wonderful children continue to grow into adulthood and not be able to help them manage the challenges of childhood with her grandchildren. She leaves knowing with the confidence of the many lessons and examples she provided that her spirit, compassion, and selfless personality will live on even as she leaves this world.
If you so desire, donations to Windsor/Essex Cancer Foundation, Ovarian Cancer Canada or Turtle Hospital Marathon, Fla would be appreciated by the family.
Visitation Friday, February 10, 2023 from 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at Families First, South Windsor, 3260 Dougall Ave. (519-969-5841). Cremation to follow. Subsequent to Cheryl’s wishes there will be no service. Instead Cheryl greatest wish was for her friends and family to join in a joyous celebration of her life. Family and friends are welcomed to attend her celebration of life on February 16th, 2023 at 7 pm at the Rock Bottom Bar, 3236 Sandwich Street, Windsor.
Cheryl was a loving, warm, giving and self-less person in both her personal life and work life. Cheryl worked in Vocational Rehabilitation as a Return to Work Specialist for WSIB, where she made many friendships. Cheryl spent her whole work life helping people in need and she was able to utilize her inherent compassion to care for people at a very vulnerable and sometimes traumatic time in their lives. Her last position at WSIB was her favourite job where she was responsible for helping the spouses of those who had experienced the devastation of workplace fatality. The sense of purpose with being able to assist someone in that unfortunate situation, even in the smallest way, is something that Cheryl took very seriously and derived great satisfaction and personal pride in.
More than anything Cheryl believed that each day should be lived to the fullest and that the most important thing was creating memories and not collecting personal possessions. This philosophy helped her develop a kinship with the music of The Dave Matthews Band. In addition to the music, many friends were also made in course of the 90 DMB concerts they attended. Some that stick out are John, Katrina, David, Travis, Lorey, Allan and Jolene. The main attraction being the lyrics of the music that spoke of the importance of living each day to the fullest as written by a man who lost his father and sister at a young age. Many of Cheryl’s “non-DMB” friends and acquaintances found the number of DMB concerts she attended a bit of an obsession, but in reality it was really just an excuse to live life, create new experiences and most of all spend time with her best friend and lover. She later traded Dave Matthews Band concerts for a Disney World Annual pass where she later enjoyed many trips to Mickey’s Wonderland in Florida with her family and friends.
Cheryl was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in January of 2019. True to Cheryl’s giving, loving and selfless manner her first thoughts were of her family and how they might manage the devastating diagnosis. From that first diagnosis Cheryl made the decision to live the best version of herself, every single day. She bravely made it through surgery and four subsequent rounds of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, her Cancer was an unexpected and unappreciated guest on a yearly basis. Cheryl bore this all with a smile on her face and optimism. She helped to raise money for Ovarian Cancer and participated as an Ambassador for the Windsor/Essex Cancer Foundation’s “lock out cancer” event. She was able to find great friendship and support with her friends Andrea and Shannon – her “teal sisters”.
Friendship and travel were important to Cheryl. She experienced many great trips to places like Jost Van Dyke, Aruba, Vancouver Island, California, Oregon, Florida, New Orleans, Prince Edward Island, Vermont, Maui and Washington many of these trips with her two favourite people, her children Fiona and Declan. Many others with her close friends Steve & Kelly, Danielle & Paul, Ken & Ann Marie and her confidant and Sister Cindy and her husband Doug.
Cheryl was pronounced “No Evidence of Disease” (NED) in early 2022 and she along with her husband Jim made a commitment to travel some place every month and live her life to the fullest not knowing how many more trips her unwelcomed “friend” would allow her to make. Unfortunately, by the summer of this 2022 she knew her Cancer had returned, however, despite this knowledge had a wonderful vacation in Cowichan Bay British Columbia with great friends while being limited to eating only soup and seafood chowder due to the growth of tumours. Soon after returning from British Columbia, Cheryl started treatment and was able to squeeze in one last wonderful trip to Smuggler’s Notch Vermont with Jim, her sister Cindy and Doug. Ironically, to the same place that Cheryl and Jim spent their first vacation together nearly 30 years ago.
Cheryl leaves this world too early, but still having made many indelible impressions on friends and family. Her greatest regret is not being able to continue to watch her two wonderful children continue to grow into adulthood and not be able to help them manage the challenges of childhood with her grandchildren. She leaves knowing with the confidence of the many lessons and examples she provided that her spirit, compassion, and selfless personality will live on even as she leaves this world.
If you so desire, donations to Windsor/Essex Cancer Foundation, Ovarian Cancer Canada or Turtle Hospital Marathon, Fla would be appreciated by the family.
Visitation Friday, February 10, 2023 from 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. at Families First, South Windsor, 3260 Dougall Ave. (519-969-5841). Cremation to follow. Subsequent to Cheryl’s wishes there will be no service. Instead Cheryl greatest wish was for her friends and family to join in a joyous celebration of her life. Family and friends are welcomed to attend her celebration of life on February 16th, 2023 at 7 pm at the Rock Bottom Bar, 3236 Sandwich Street, Windsor.