Cheryl Lynn Ilijevich (Nee Varrecchia)

Cheryl Lynn Ilijevich (née Varrecchia)
September 17, 1955 ~ June 26, 2024

STOW - Cheryl Lynn Ilijevich was born on September 17, 1955, as Cheryl Lynn Varrecchia.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Lucille and John Varrecchia, and her brother, Mike Varrecchia. She is survived by her husband, Gary; her sons, Christopher (Lea), and Joseph (Theresa); grandchildren, Angela, Katelyn, Nick, and Evan; brother, John (Tamie), as well as many nieces and nephews.

The following are some memories I (Gary) would like to share about Cher’s life:

She graduated from Akron North High School in 1974, specializing in secretarial science. Every time we passed North High School on Route 8, she would sing the school's alma mater, a testament to her fond memories there.

Shortly after graduation, Cheryl began working at Akron General Hospital as a secretary in the Administration Department. It was there that we met, I worked in the stockroom. We were married on February 4, 1978, at St. Anthony Church in North Hill, amidst the memorable "Blizzard of 1978."

Cheryl supported me through my studies at Akron University's Engineering School by working multiple jobs. Our first son, Chris, was born in July 1980, followed by Joe, in October 1981. Cheryl's dedication to her family was unwavering, and she worked tirelessly to provide for and nurture her kids.

In 1983, we moved to Melbourne, Florida, where we raised our two boys. Three years later, we returned to Ohio, settling in Stow. Cheryl was deeply involved in her sons' lives, coaching baseball teams and attending every soccer, baseball, football, and basketball game.

When her children reached junior high school, Cheryl took a job as an administrative assistant with Marriott Food Service for Stow City Schools, which allowed her to have a schedule that aligned with the kids' school holidays. She later worked for the Stow City School District Administration Department. Cheryl was a familiar face at Stow football and basketball games throughout the 1990s.

Cheryl's joy grew with the birth of her grandchildren: Angela in 2006, Katelyn in 2006, Nicholas in 2011, and Evan in 2018. She cherished her role as a grandmother, supporting her grandchildren in various activities, from T-ball and baseball to dance recitals, band shows, basketball, lacrosse, and field hockey.

An avid Cleveland Browns and Indians fan, Cheryl inherited her love for the Browns from her dad and passed it on to me and the boys. Sundays were often spent watching games at his house or blacked out home games at Midway Lanes. She also had a passion for college basketball, with Duke being her favorite team.

Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in high school, Cheryl courageously battled the disease for over 50 years. She often remarked that reaching the age of 65 was a milestone, and she considered the subsequent years as "icing on the cake."

Cheryl and I enjoyed many travels together. We celebrated our 25th anniversary with a 10-day trip to Hawaii and spent 100 days in the summer of 2005 in England, traveling extensively and witnessing Jack Nicklaus' final two rounds at the British Open at St. Andrews. In the winter of 2018, we explored Monument Valley and all five national parks in Utah. Despite her declining health by 2020, Cheryl's spirit remained strong.

Cheryl was a voracious reader, I always had to ensure a steady stream of books from the library. Whether moving her from her chair to her bed or the car, she always had a book within reach, sharing her latest reads with me.

Cheryl Lynn Ilijevich leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and resilience. She will be deeply missed by our family and friends, whose lives she touched with her unwavering support and joyful presence.

I want to thank the wonderful, compassionate people working at Heather Knoll. They treated her great and were supportive through all of this. Also, her endocrinologist, Dr. Toni King, who managed her diabetes for over 30 years. Her ophthalmologist, Dr. Thomas Tsai, who saved her eyesight many times over the last 15 years.

And especially, I want to thank all my family and friends for their support and love. Enjoy every day with each other, it goes so fast.

"And then one day you find, ten years have got behind you . . ."

~ Time by Pink Floyd