Cheryl Ann Cox Perrone

"Chere", 65, of Bainbridge Island died Saturday, October 14, 2017 at her home after a year-long struggle with cancer. Chere was born in Hartford, CT, on October 1, 1952 to the late Doris & Roger Cox.She spent all of her childhood in upstate New York on the family blueberry farm where she attended Albany Academy for Girls. She traveled extensively with her mom and sister which began her love for genealogy. In the summers, while not picking blueberries, she was a lifeguard at the local state park where she revived a young child which affirmed her decision to become a nurse. She received her B.S. in nursing from Boston University and worked in the Boston area at Mount Auburn Hospital where she met her future husband, Vinnie.In the early 1980's, she moved to Washington where she received her M.S. in oncology nursing from the University of Washington. For many years following, she worked in the oncology field at Group Health in Seattle.Vinnie & Chere married on May 5, 1984 near her childhood home in Berlin, New York. Two years later, their first child, Andrew, was born followed by their daughter, Claire, in 1988. They spent a lot of time camping and hiking around the Pacific Northwest while the children were growing up. In 1993, the family moved to Virginia where Vinnie pursued his doctorate degree and Chere worked as a para-educator with handicapped children. In 1998, they briefly lived in New Hampshire before returning to Washington and settling on Bainbridge Island. Upon her return, she became a nursing instructor at Olympic College until her retirement due to her illness. While at Olympic College she participated in the successful accreditation of the nursing program from a 2-year to a 4-year B.S. degree program. Chere enjoyed hiking and cross-country skiing, reading, knitting, cross stitching, and gathering with friends at her home, whether they were longtime or recent acquaintances. Her smile, compassion, & warmth were infectious and touched everyone that she met. Throughout her childhood and adulthood, she enjoyed many wonderful summer vacations on Cape Cod riding boogey boards, walking the beaches, enjoying summer sunsets and the company of her long-time Cape Cod friends. Chere will be deeply missed by her husband, Vinnie; children, Andrew & Claire; sister, Karen (John Bergeron) Cox; and many friends and extended family. She touched many lives with her kindness and compassion and was one of the original and long-term serving members of the pastoral care committee for Cedars Unitarian Universalist Church on Bainbridge Island.A celebration of Chere's life and a sharing of your memories will be held on Sunday, November 12, 2017 at 3:00 PM at The Island School, 8553 N.E. Day Road, Bainbridge Island, Washington.Donations in Chere's honor can be made to Olympic College Nursing program:Olympic College Foundation - Nursing1600 Chester Ave. CSC 530Bremerton, WA 98337orEnvironmental Defense Fund1875 Connecticut Ave NWWashington, DC 20009The Environmental Defense Fund: [Click here]