Cheryl "Cheri" Rickards

Cheryl "Cheri" Rickards (Sherbourne) lost her battle with lung cancer on Sept. 23, 2014. She died at home with her son near and in her own bed, just as she had requested. She was at peace and without pain or suffering. She was so full of life and had such a big laugh. She always made people around her feel better and "lighten up" as she was such a goof and so easy going. The diagnosis came as such a surprise only 2 months ago. She was happy, fun, friendly, always willing to lend a hand and a wonderful friend, Nana, and Mom.

Cheri was born in British Columbia, Canada, and moved to California when she was 9 years old. She grew up in the San Fernando Valley, married Kim Olson at 18 and divorced 2 years later. She then married Louis Rickards and lived in Simi Valley for 7 years. They then moved to Oceanside where they lived for 20 years. Cheri then divorced and moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, her final resting place.

She held many titles through her life; mother, homemaker, cook, noon-duty aide, friend, nana, and realtor. She loved to enjoy her wine, cook, music, researching her family tree, genealogy, visiting with friends, and spending time with her family. Most of all she loved her family. She completely ADORED her sons Bryan and Jay and her grandson Parker and her most wonderful doggie Shamrock. She was such a gigantic animal lover who had so many amazing pets through the years. Dogs, cats and birds were always present wherever she was living. Cheri cared for and lived with her mother who also died from lung cancer in January 2014.

She is survived by and will be deeply missed by her sons Jay Cantrell and Bryan Rickards, her grandson Parker Rickards, Canadian cousins John Meek, Lori Hall and Randy Enright, and many other cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, brothers, and sisters. She was preceded in death by her mother and stepfather Connie and Jack Sherbourne, and birth father Grant Weir.

There will be a remembrance and celebration of her life in Coeur d'Alene at her home on Oct. 4 at 3 p.m. and another in Southern California on Saturday, Oct. 18.

God Saw You Getting Tired

God saw you getting tired, when a cure was not to be.

So he wrapped his arms around you, and whispered, "come to me."

You didn't deserve what you went through, so he gave you rest.

God's garden must be beautiful, he only takes the best.

And when I saw you sleeping, so peaceful and free from pain

I could not wish you back to suffer that again.

- Frances and Kathleen Coelho

Rest well Cheri, you will ALWAYS be missed by so many people!! Loving you with all our heart and soul! We miss you momma!!