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Cherie Maleyko

March 12, 1949 - October 24, 2014
Livonia, MI

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Visitation

Tuesday, October 28, 2014
2:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Turowski Life Story Funeral Homes
Livonia, West of Middlebelt
30200 Five Mile Rd.
Livonia, MI 48154
(734) 525-9020

7:00 pm Rosary at the Funeral Home

Driving Directions

Service

Wednesday, October 29, 2014
10:30 AM EDT
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church
11441 Hubbard
Livonia, MI 48150
(734) 261-1455

10:00 am Instate until Mass begins

Map
Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Polycystic Kidney Foundation
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Cardwell Florist
(734) 421-3567

Life Story / Obituary


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Cherie Maleyko was a loving and dedicated woman in her professional and personal life. She was a true teacher, seeking the best in her students and getting the best out of them. She valued them and their families, showing love and care that extended beyond classroom hours. All the while, Cherie put her family first, and they knew it by the attention she gave and the inspiration she was. Her compassion was real and her optimism was contagious. She was good hearted and extremely kind. She was independent yet deeply connected, strong in faith yet vulnerable to learn and grow. Above all, Cherie was loved and cherished by her dear family, friends and a host of students.

Cherie was born to John and Eleanore Jacob on March 12, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan when America was recovering from WWII. Growth in industry and jobs gave workers the opportunity to build homes and start families that launched the baby boom era. She was the oldest of five children, and with her mom working as a Registered Nurse and her dad in real estate, insurance and retail, Cherie became like a second mother to Lynn, John “Jack,” Robert and Mark.

Growing up on Kilbourne Street in St. David Parish on the city’s east side, Cherie took her responsibilities to her siblings very seriously. She became their caregiver, teacher, pet minder to Fluffy and recreation director all rolled into one. At one point, she organized her sister and brothers into the “Colgate Club” that met in the attic. There Cherie showed them how to brush their teeth—a telling indication of the career she eventually chose.

Her busyness at home didn’t keep Cherie from working hard and excelling in school. She was on the rolls of the National Honor Society and a member of the Letterman Club, the yearbook staff, and in years to come the reunion committee. She played varsity girls’ basketball and served as class secretary. By the time she graduated from St. David High School, Cherie was awarded an academic scholarship to Eastern Michigan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education and then a Master’s Degree in Education. When she took a job with Taylor Public Schools, she might not have known that she would stay there for 39 years, but Cheryl’s contributions were pronounced. She began the first P.O.H.I. (Physically or Other Health Impaired) program and devoted herself to quality education for all students.

Early in her married life, Cherie became a single parent of two young boys, Ray and Ron. She willingly scheduled her life around their activities and sporting events, and she guided them right through their college education. She instilled in them a love for God and family that included spending time with relatives. Together they attended mass at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, went to the lake, played Pinochle with the entire family, gathered with the Jacobs for Christmas and the Owens for New Years Day parties, and in general had a wonderful time being family. When she became a grandmother, Cherie’s joy only increased as she welcomed Justin, Ryan and Maxwell into her life.

Kids and teaching mixed very well, especially when Cherie was needed to go on field trips with students to Washington DC or when she both attended and conducted teacher conferences. She started a local chapter of “Rainbow for All God’s Children,” helping children through losses in their young lives.

Cherie’s kindness and fidelity extended to others as well. Through St. Michael’s Church, she went on retreats with friends and served as a Eucharist Minister. Every Sunday for 18 years, she administered communion to residents at American House. When she gratefully received a kidney transplant, Cherie was able to do yet more of what she loved with family and friends.

A subtle indicator of her long term commitments, Cherie was a loyal pet owner to Seymour the turtle for 25 years, to dog Jada for 15 years and most recently to Zeus the dog.

Among the relaxing activities that she enjoyed, Cherie counted these among her favorites: shopping at QVC and HSN and watching Grey’s Anatomy, Little People, 19 Kids and Counting, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, Good Morning America and Dancing with the Stars.

Whatever she was doing, Cherie showed her God-given abilities and character traits that made her a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, niece, daughter and friend.

Cheryl Maleyko, October 24, 2014, age 65. Loving mother of Ray (Emilia) and Ron (Jessica). Dearest grandmother of Justin, Ryan, and Maxwell. Dear sister of Lynn Cox, Robert (Mary) Jacob, Mark (Cari) Jacob, and the late John (Carol) Jacob. Visitation Tuesday 2-9pm with Rosary at 7 p.m. at Neely-Turowski Life Story Funeral Home, 30200 Five Mile (btn Middle Belt and Merriman). Instate Wednesday 10:00 a.m. until Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church, 11441 Hubbard, (Plymouth Rd. west of Merriman) in Livonia, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to the Polycystic Kidney Foundation. Please visit www.TurowskiLifeStory.com where you may sign the guestbook, share a memory, or upload a photo.

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