Cheryl Ann (Koshka) MacDonald

Cheryl drifted peacefully away from us on September 19, 2024, at just sixty-four years of age. She endured an arduous, over five year battle with cancer. Her strength and determination throughout her struggle is inspiring to all of us, who loved her so dearly.

Cheryl had a remarkable career as an elementary teacher in Leduc and then in Sherwood Park. A true artist, Cheryl enjoyed painting beautiful landscapes and stills in watercolour and acrylic. She loved to try her hand at almost anything artistic and we have many treasures that she created in soapstone, felting, and knitting. Cheryl was an incredible gardener, creating yards that were the envy of the neighbourhood. Travel was also very high on her priority list. Cheryl and Allan had the privilege of extensive travel during their retirement years but a highlight was spending winters in Rancho Mirage, California and earlier in Mexico where she volunteered to teach art, two days a week at an orphanage in Manzanillo.

Cheryl left behind a legacy of love. She shared incredible love with her husband of thirty-five years. Allan and Cheryl had a special bond that will never be broken. The absolute joy of Cheryl’s life was her precious daughter, Katie. Cheryl could not be more proud of Katie and so loved spending time with Katie right up to the end. Cheryl lovingly embraced a whole new relationship with Brian Hess, now Katie’s husband, when Katie brought him into our lives. Cheryl always considered them to be the best match there could be.

Cheryl’s legacy of love extended well beyond her immediate family to all of her relatives and all of Allan’s. Her brother, Brad, her aunts and uncles, her cousins, her many, many nieces and nephews, sisters in law and brothers in law and all of our wonderful friends, just too numerous to name, all of whom have been such a foundation of support for our family throughout our ordeal.

Our family would like to extend our deep debt of gratitude to Dr Walter Wash. He was Cheryl’s family physician but so much more. He has been a pillar of strength and support, especially to Cheryl but to the three of us, as well.

As per Cheryl’s wishes, there will be no service. A private family inurnment will take place at St Mary’s Cemetery in Chipman, AB where Cheryl’s cremains will be buried with her parents, Jean and Larry Koshka and her very special aunt and uncle, Ollie and Joe Koshka.

A memorial time for family and friends will take place from 6:00 - 9:00 pm on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at Hainstock’s Funeral Home, 9810 - 34 Avenue, Edmonton. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers and other tributes, the family encourages a contribution to The Food Bank.