Cheryl Lee Donison-Luchsinger died peacefully on November 16th, 2016 at Victoria Hospice, surrounded by family, following a heroic battle with cancer. Cheryl was born on December 14th, 1965 in Hamilton, Ontario. Cheryl is survived by her husband, Christopher Donison; daughter, Jade Fraser and her husband, Reid Fraser; her son, Kyle Luchsinger; parents, Mary and Donald Roughly, all from Victoria British Columbia and her brother, Michael Roughly and his wife, Michelle and their son, Noah, who live in Port Severn, Ontario. She will be missed by many other friends and relatives.
Cheryl was a dedicated mother to her cherished two children and an avid outdoors-person and athlete. She was an accomplished skier and swimmer and in her growing-up years and later years with her children, loved nothing more than to be at the Georgian Bay family cottage, swimming, canoeing, fishing, and driving the boat. Cheryl’s early education was in Hamilton Ontario at Westdale Secondary School and she later graduated from Conestoga College. Her professional work was in Community Recreation and after working in Kitchener-Waterloo and Saudi Arabia in her early life, she eventually settled in Victoria. An excellent baker and homemaker, Cheryl had an exceptional eye for design and brought a fastidious elegance to all of her surroundings at home and to everything she touched. Cheryl’s passion for fashion was elevated to an art and her life was a consummate expression of determined energy in the pursuit of a valued life. She loved all living creatures, (except flies) and in later years, greatly missed the family golden retriever, Daisy, but was comforted by Casper the cat.
Her family wishes to thank the countless dedicated health-care workers that cared for her over the many years, and especially those at the BC Cancer Agency and the Victoria Hospice led by Dr. Douglas McGregor and Dr. Gail Sager. The nurses at Victoria Hospice are in a league unto themselves and Cheryl had the gold standard of care.
A memorial service and reception will be held at in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, on Thursday, November 24th at 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Victoria Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation, 1952 Bay St, Victoria, BC V8R 1J8.
Condolences may be offered to the family below:
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com.
24 Responses
To all who loved Cheryl,
We cannot express in words how sorry we are to hear about Cheryl.
We have the loveliest memories of the times we spent singing and jamming together in Georgian Bay, fishing, laughing and visiting people on the lake.
I personally was blessed to have Cheryl as my student at Earl Kitchener School in Hamilton, but even better was to become friends with the family and to watch Cheryl grow into an absolutely beautiful adult, both inside and out.
Cheryl fought hard and she fought with dignity. She will be so missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Dear Chris, Cheryl was the love of your life. What a beautiful relationship you had–an example to us all. She had such a lovely disposition, and you two really understood one another. God Bless her and you, as you mourn.
Love ,
Nan, Peter, Irene and John
Dear Chris,
I am so sorry for your loss. Cheryl was such a strong lady. I will not be in Victoria to celebrate Cheryl’s life, but will remember the dedication and love you showed each other over the past years that I came to know her. I wish you peace and would love to get together in the spring when I return.
Dear Chris,
We will miss her delightful smile and sharp wit. I know your loss is great but the memories you shared together will be with you always. Di and I send our love.
Dear Christopher, Spoke with Neil recently who informed me that your dear wife was still with you and I was happy for you to hear that. Now that is no longer the case my deepest condolensces go out to you.
It’s been a long road I believe and she can now be at peace.
Fond regards, PJ
Dear Chris,
I am sorry to read of Cheryl’s passing. I know it was a long and gallant battle that Cheryl fought, all the while with you by her side. My thoughts are with you and Casper. Hugs, Lori
Dear Chris – Jim and I are so very sorry for your loss. Although we didn’t know Cheryl well we can understand what she meant to you. May you find some solace through your music. Love, Diana and Jim
Our sincere condolences to all those who will miss Cheryl in their lives. Distance doesn’t allow us to be present but our thoughts and prayers are with you. We are so thankful that she had so much love and support during her long illness.
Sincerely, Dennis and Isabel Roughley & family.
Your sunny presence will be deeply missed. We know you will shine on in Heaven.
Dear Chris, I am so sorry to hear of Cheryl’s passing. She was such a spark in everyone’s lives and will be sorely missed. Sharing meals with you and Cheryl in your elegant home, sitting side by side with Cheryl supporting your dedication to Music By The Sea and hearing about all your global adventures will be some of the many memories I will cherish. Wishing you peace and much affection at this challenging time. Love Susann