Cheryl Smith: An ‘avid reader’ who ‘loved her nieces and nephews with all her heart’

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A loving daughter, devoted sister and most of all, the best aunt ever, Cheryl Smith passed peacefully away in the early hours of September 16, 2020 after a hard fought battle with cancer. Cheryl was born the eldest daughter of David and Laurel Smith on March 20, 1957 and was raised in Eureka. As a child, Cheryl was the quiet one and according to mom, the messiest one too. She was an avid reader of all kinds of books, loved music from the Eagles and enjoyed going to watch her brothers play football and baseball. She graduated from Eureka High School in 1975.

Cheryl started working for Eureka City Schools while still in high school and retired in 2015 after giving 40 dedicated years of service and being one of the longest serving ECS classified employees. Cheryl then continued working for ECS as an independent consultant for the next 5 years. She actively participated in the California School Employee Association and was the president of the local chapter for years.

Cheryl had no children of her own but loved her nieces and nephews with all her heart. Over the years she attended many many sporting events, recitals and graduations, always cheering them on. In retirement Cheryl’s great joy was babysitting and spending time with her great nieces and nephews. She also enjoyed attending cooking classes and a tai chi group. Cheryl once listed “travel the world” on her bucket list and even though it didn’t happen, the annual vacations she did make meant the world to her. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Cheryl is preceded in death by her father, David Smith, her grandparents, Archie & Adeline Smith and Thomas & Muriel Loftus.

Cheryl is survived by her mother, Laurel Smith of Eureka, CA, her sister and brother in-law Belinda & Barry Pires of Eureka, CA, her brothers and sister in-laws Rick & Laurie Smith of Reno, NV and Barry & Heather Smith of Sacramento, CA, her nieces and nephews: Jeremy & Stacey Powell of Arcata, CA, Josh & Stephanie Powell of Eureka, CA, Heather & Drew Holmgren of Fortuna, CA, Tony Smith of Reno, NV, Daniel Smith of Reno, NV, Luke & Katie Smith of Reno, NV, Emma & Chris McCarthy of Reno, NV, Barry & Stacie Smith of Sacramento, CA, Monica & Chris Anderson of Reno, NV, David Smith of Reno, NV and Trevor Smith of Reno, NV, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. She also left behind numerous great nieces and nephews whom she adored.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Hospice of Humboldt in Cheryl’s memory.