Obituary of CHERI MICHELLE GIESBRECHT

CHERI MICHELLE GIESBRECHT

May 1, 1977 - May 22, 2016

On May 1, 1977 our beloved Cheri was born. She was welcomed home by her big sister Charlene and one year later she welcomed her brother Lorne Jr. with whom she shares a birthday. She was a beautiful child who warmed your heart with her bright smile.

Cheri grew up in Transcona, attending Harold Hatcher Elementary School, Arthur Day Middle School and finally graduating from Murdoch MacKay Collegiate. She was an avid reader and composed many stories in elementary school which her teacher published for the students. I remember when she brought a report card home in grade three and her teacher’s comments were that she had never before given such an excellent report. From a young age, Cheri danced with Doreen Bissett School of Dance. She was a beautiful dancer and she passed that talent on to her daughter Athena. Cheri also played ringette, soccer and then basketball in high school. She graduated with honors from high school in 1995, having taken several advanced placement courses. She excelled in language arts. She was such an eloquent writer. Throughout high school Cheri pursued modeling, having done several charity fashion shows and was even portrayed in a music video with a local band.

After graduation Cheri obtained employment with Faneuil Group Inc. for a few years. She was living with her high school boyfriend, Jeremy Preston at the time.

On January 19, 1997 she entered into a new phase in her life when she gave birth to her son, Nathan. Plans were being made to marry Jeremy, however that did not come to be.

As a single mother, she struggled, but she knew she had to make a life for herself and Nathan. Cheri had a love for fashion and worked in the retail industry. She later went on to attend Scientific Marvel School of Hairstyling. During that time she struggled with some obstacles in her life and she took a short break from her schooling. It was during this time of turmoil she met and started dating Mike Gander. She started turning her life around and she completed her schooling at Scientific Marvel, working at 42nd Street Hairstyling while going to school. Cheri also worked for Manitoba Public Insurance for a while, which was ironic because she was notorious for getting speeding tickets and getting into fender benders.

Then on December 29, 2002 Cheri gave birth to her daughter, Athena. Mike and Cheri decided that she would stay home to raise the children. Cheri was a wonderful mother to both Nathan and Athena. Together the three of them started attending Tae Kwon Do classes and Cheri even went on to earn her black belt. Cheri and Mike kept the children involved in extracurricular activities, Nathan in soccer, skateboarding and football with The Transcona Nationals and Athena in soccer and dance. Athena even played football with The Transcona Nationals for one year. Cheri assisted in coaching and managing some of the respective teams but her main passion was Athena’s dance. With her love for fashion and hairstyling, she was the first one to volunteer with hair, makeup and face painting for the many dance competitions and recitals.

Cheri and Mike eventually separated, but they continued working together raising the children.

Cheri loved her children with all her heart and she was instrumental in what they have become. Nathan, at 19 has grown up to be a fine young man, showing such strength and maturity and Athena, at 13 has a passion for dance that rivals no other.

Unfortunately, Cheri had struggled for many years with depression and low self-esteem. She was always trying to help the down trodden, whether it was a homeless person passed out in the snow or others with addictions problems at risk of losing their children instead of trying to help herself. Unfortunately she did not love herself. She could not see the beauty within herself and was unable to take charge of her own life. She never felt she was worth it.

Cheri leaves behind a legacy in her children and will live on forever in their hearts.

Cheri, you left this earthly world too soon but you will live on in our hearts and minds forever. Our one consolation is that you are at peace and are no longer in pain.

Love you forever, Mom and Dad