Wasilla resident, Cheree Renee Newman, 53, died of cancer Jan. 4 at St. Elias Hospital in Anchorage. A celebration of life will be held at noon Feb. 7 at 3378 W. Discovery Loop in Wasilla.
Cheree was born Oct. 15, 1955 in Long Beach, Calif. She moved to Alaska in 1976 and resided in Wasilla.
Cheree worked with IBEW as a journeyman wireman in 1996 and then in 2004 as an employee with the municipality of Anchorage.
Cheree had a great love of Alaska including her gardening and traveling.
“How can one describe a friendship in a mere few lines? A friendship that spanned more than 17 years. Cheree’ was as true and honorable a human being as I have ever encountered in my life.
She was always ready for an adventure, regardless of where it took us or how we would get there. Cheree was an incredibly positive person, always finding good in everyone she encountered and in every situation that occurred.
Being in her presence made me a better person and certainly made my life more worthwhile. Her loss is monumental, to all of us who knew her. I raise a toast to you Cheree and thank you for being a part of my life. If there is an after life, we will be sure to carry on again. Goodbye my friend.”
Cheree is survived by her sons Nathaniel B., Kevin W., and Phillip M. Garber.
Father Kenneth Leroy Newman and companion Marie of California, stepfather Calvin M. Blackmore Jr. of Brennon, Wash., brothers Carl Newman, Rick Newman and wife Danna of California, Calvin L. Blackmore and wife Jodi of Silverdale, Wash., sister Marla Althouse and husband Aaron of Portland, Ore., and companion of 8 years Vincent “Vinnie” Farrell of Wasilla. Preceded in death by her mother Saundra Jean (LaFleur) Blackmore.
Arrangements were by Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary.
Source: Frontiersman, 15 January 2009
