Cheryl Sehring

Cheryl Ann Sehring, 76, of St. Charles, Illinois, passed away on June 2, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. She was lovingly known as Cheri and Chay by her family and friends.
Cheri was born on October 9, 1946 to Kenneth and Gloria Anderson in Chicago, Illinois. She was predeceased by her parents, dearest sister Darryl Boge, and loving husband Louis (Corky) Sehring. She is survived by her daughters Molly Sehring and Kelly Martin-Vegue, sons-in-law Giovanni Badilla and Matt Martin-Vegue, and grandsons Jovan Badilla and Louis Martin-Vegue.
Cheri attended Carl Sandburg High School, where she participated with her sister on the synchronized swim team. She studied to become a teacher at Northern Illinois University and taught middle school English for several years. Cheri soon met Corky, the eternal love of her life. They wed on October 17, 1970, and honeymooned in Zurich, Switzerland. Cheri and Corky were married for 38 epic years of devotion, belonging, and adventure. They rode Harley Davidson motorcycles and traveled together often, making memories that would last a lifetime.

“Life is tough; I recommend getting a manicure and a really cute helmet."

Known for her welcoming spirit, Cheri was a generous host of gatherings, parties, and holidays. Her artistry and gift of interior design was admired by guests. She meaningfully curated her home to provide delight and sanctuary. Exceptional harmony was achieved using lighting, art, textiles, and flower arrangements. Cheri valued the preservation of family heirlooms and uniquely showcased legacy items. Skilled in home improvement, “Strong Cheri” installed wallpaper, sewed curtains, and assembled festive crafts. Cleverly, she highlighted anecdotes within her decor, such as those shared in this tribute.

“If you can’t fix it with duct tape or a martini, it ain’t worth fixing."

Cheri’s inspiring design skills translated outdoors. She won the Neighborhood Pride Contest in 1995 in St. Charles, Illinois for outstanding landscaping and the St. Charles Scarecrow Festival two consecutive years for creative and innovative designs. A 6 foot tall wrought iron horse, which she seasonally adorned, stood proudly in the yard at three different homes. She continued to honor family legacy with flowers by transplanting perennials between loved ones, such as re-planting peonies from the yard of her mother in-law and giving hosta and daylilies to her daughters, thereby ensuring growth and beauty are witnessed across generations.

“I think the whole world is filled with signs, but if there’s no laughter, I know they’re not for me.”

Cheri had a wide circle of dear, lifelong friends. She was funny, loyal, trustworthy, and compassionate. She never hesitated to speak her truth or stand up for those she loved. Many vacations and music concerts included both small or large groups of friends, because she moved through the world drawn to shared experiences and exploring life in good company. Her love for beaches, oceans, lakes, and sunshine cannot be overstated. Cheri’s trip to Botswana with three other women was a life highlight. She was particularly enamored with zebras and elephants, though her commemorative photo album documents an abundance of awe-inspiring wildlife. Cheri was an animal lover at heart and doted on her own beloved cats over the years.

“Good friends are like stars, you don’t always see them, but you know they’re always there.”

Above all, Cheri was dedicated to her family and constantly put others before herself. A magnificent mother, she encouraged her daughters to aim for the sky. Holding her responsibility of raising two wise women with high esteem, she was Molly and Kelly’s greatest cheerleader and fiercest advocate. She prioritized and facilitated sisterly reunions, as she deeply valued and personally knew their significance. Cheri’s maternal lineage hailed from Odessa, Ukraine, the birthplace of her grandmother who immigrated to the United States and had two daughters. Her mother then had two daughters. Next, Cheri birthed two daughters. The endowment of the unmistakable and eminent strength of her maternal line is a lasting legacy.

“The truth is, even if she weren’t my Mom I would go out of my way to be friends with her.”

Cheri will be greatly missed by all who knew her. *** In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Cheri’s name to Best Friends Animal Society (https://bestfriends.org). A celebration of her life will be held in October. Please call or text Molly at 615-972-4765 or Kelly at 206-354-6327 for more details.

Nashville Cremation Center is honored to be entrusted with handling Mrs. Sehring's arrangements. Please visit her tribute page to leave a thoughtful note for the family.