On Thursday, August 2, 2018, Cheryl Bartels-Poore, mother, daughter and sister, died suddenly at the age of 55 from heart failure. Cheryl, the oldest of five children, was born on June 19, 1963 in Columbus, Ohio to Timothy Patrick Kenny and Christine Ann Coffey. Her given name was Cheryl Ann Kenny, but to those who grew up with her, we called her Mimi.
Cheryl moved to Tampa with her family in 1981 after graduating from Worthington High School and attended the University of South Florida where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications. She spent her adult life in Tampa and Land O’Lakes. Cheryl is survived by her four loving sons: Max Bartels, Jake Poore, Nick Poore and Zak Poore. She is further survived by her parents and their spouses, four siblings Katie Scanlan (Rob), John Kenny (Stacey), Mike Kenny (Suzanne) and Kevin Kenny (Mary), 12 nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
After graduating from USF, Cheryl worked in sales and marketing in addition to having a professional modeling career, but she found her real passion in teaching. She loved the infant and toddler ages and worked at a number of local Montessori programs around the Bay area throughout the years.
Cheryl’s four boys were the pride and joy of her life. She loved watching them excel in school, sports or theatrical arts, and was so proud of the path they are each on. The legacy of her kind spirit, gentle soul, and helpful nature will live on through them. She will also live on in the hearts of all she touched.
The family will celebrate her life on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church beginning with a visitation starting at 1 pm followed by a funeral mass at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Tampa General Hospital Foundation – Liver Transplant Program.