Cheryl Margaret Prestie

As we swayed to the music

And held to each other

I fell in love with you

“Blossom” passed away at home in the loving arms of her life partner Don Gordon on April 16^th, 2026, six days before their 52^nd anniversary.

Cheryl’s beautiful smile revealed a joyous spirit and genuine kindness that warmed the hearts and souls of those in her presence. As a former co-worker mentioned, “Cheryl had a Superpower of making you ‘feel seen’ when she greeted you in passing”.

Cheryl began her life journey in Weyburn, Saskatchewan on July 27, 1949, the only daughter of Joyce and Jim Prestie, a member of the Canadian Army. From 1955 to 1957, Cheryl, younger brother Michael and their parents lived in Germany where Jim was stationed until returning to Weyburn. After Cheryl’s parents divorced, Joyce married Roy Stainbrook and the family, including Roy’s son, Randy, moved to Salmon Arm, BC when Cheryl was 17.

In 1967, Cheryl graduated from Salmon Arm High School and moved to Calgary, Alberta to complete her Licensed Practical Nurse certification at Foothills Hospital before joining her brothers, mother, and stepfather at their new home in Vernon, B.C. where she met Don in 1974. Cheryl worked at Dellview Hospital in Vernon until its closure, and in 1983 she and Don moved to Victoria, BC after Cheryl accepted a job transfer to Oak Bay Lodge where she worked until her retirement in 2004.

After retiring, Cheryl lived up to her nickname, Blossom. She became an accomplished SCUBA diver, blue water sailor, actress with the Victoria Operatic Society, professional soloist, and charitable fundraiser for several microcredit and school-building projects in Uganda and Tanzania. Much of this she accomplished in the years following a near-fatal encephalitis infection in 2009 which left her with irreversible cognitive deficits. Regardless, brightening the lives of care home residents with her singing and the philanthropic work she and Don did in their travels to Uganda and Tanzania filled her with purpose and were among her most treasured memories.

Cheryl was Don’s life partner and the light and love of his life. She is survived by Don, brother Michael Stainbrook, stepbrother Randy Stainbrook, her precious uncle Joe Zbeetnoff, and a myriad of cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends too numerous to name but no less loved.

She was predeceased by her mother and stepfather, Joyce and Roy Stainbrook; uncles and aunts Stan and Elaine Walker, Bernice Zbeetnoff, Wes and Betty Marshall; stepbrother Royden Stainbrook; tragically at age 17, cousin Kaylee Kolenski; father and mother-in-law George (Scotty) and Doris (Do) Gordon; sister-in-law Val Pack; brothers-in-law Tom Gordon and Don Pack; and, all too soon, niece- and nephew-in-law Cindy Gordon and Steve Pack.

Don would like to especially thank the teams at Baromedical Oxygen Clinic, Comfort Keepers Care Services, and the Palliative Response Team at Victoria Hospice for their respectful, tender, compassionate care of Cheryl during the final days of her life.

In lieu of flowers, please e-donate to CanUcare Canada Society at info@canucarecanada.ca or to a charity of your choice.

To support the work Cheryl loved, in November 2026 (TBA) there will be a charitable fundraiser in tribute to her life hosted by CanUcare Canada. CanUcare Canada is a registered, non-profit society inspired by Don and Cheryl for the purpose of funding the work of Dr. Daniel Murokora https://afhiri.org/dr-daniel-murokora/ to reduce maternal and infant mortality in West Uganda through CanUcare Foundation Uganda.

For further details, updates, and ticket information about this event, contact CanUcare at info@canucarecanada.ca

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens

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