Cheryl Pace

   Wow! You see that woman up above? Right up above this obit— spirited memoir written here, above and below these lines. Yeah? Oh, you saw her? So you just were mesmerized, that's why you didn't respond fast? Of course, right, right! Who could miss that fiery, beautiful, and powerful person? 

    A Capricorn, a poet, 53, born on December 28, 1967; but, truth be told, Cheryl (Brighteyes) was 29 years young. She graduated from Torrington High School in 1985 and time traveled to help keep her always youthful spirit. Cheryl was a Direct Support Professional for 20+ years, she enjoyed the many experiences she had with the individuals she supported. She not only worked, but she made friends and family through her career in healthcare. Cheryl truly was a unique, caring, charismatic, strong-willed, woman who made heads turn upon entry. Truly, who could ever overlook the room and miss Cheryl?

      Hm, yes, right, the answer is...the answer is — US. We could miss her. We could miss her so evidently that it feels like the whole world stopped when she passed away on November 5, 2021. We can miss her and not realize, except when we stop our routine and feel our chest forming a knot. We can see her in memories and pictures, which we cherish and hold close; but, we still miss your voice, hugs, kisses, and could use more time. Now she's entering doors we have yet to discover, while still being everywhere in between. It's okay to miss her, it's okay to let your sorrow fall down your cheeks, roll down the river, and wash away your heartache like Kent's Waterfall. She needs you to know, wants you each to know, she will always still be near, wiping away any tears and fears.

       Remember the story, how Cheryl graduated wilderness school, and she white water rafted? When I heard the story, all I could think was how badass my mom was! Cheryl was seriously an adventurer like Tomb Raider, beast mode, Laura Croft. Did you ever witness her knowledgeable tips and sightings regarding wildlife? She could name any bird that crossed her path, and it's fact, when she saw construction workers clearing away their trees, she would let them know it was against her nature and beliefs. Cheryl could whistle with her hands, skip stones, swim so fast.. seriously, the first time seeing her swim she was zooming like an Orca! (Or even dashing speeds like "the only good one"... Michael Phelps.)

      She taught her kids how to pet bees, the luck of ladybugs, and always smiled when she found a wooly caterpillar. She hiked mountains and she was fierce like her favorite, black panthers. Cats, she called her grandbabies, were always a comfort in her life and on her snapchat, she loved them dearly. A true, undercover, storm chaser, she stood outdoors recording lightning bolts. Passionate about testing tires, she drove in snow covered parking lots, making crazy 8's. Healing herself, she found freedom in lakes like Mount Tom and the Oceans crashing waves at the Cape. Cheryl sang "Bohemian Rhapsody" at the top of her lungs, and then she danced to 'TootseeRoll", and shouted "Party Up in Here" afterwards. At EDM festivals, where the stars were in full view, she would nearly lean completely backwards to see; then she danced to silent disco and enjoyed the vibes. She felt free, and is free.

      Cooking was another hobby of Cheryl's. She enjoyed various cultural foods. She was a master of collard greens, fried chicken, pot pie, mac n' cheese, lasagna, and italian christmas cookies. Cheryl would always find the largest turkey and stuff it to her heart's content. There are many other dishes that will be missed as nobody cooked like her, and she was proud about this too!

      She also enjoyed movies, all types; such as, The Green Mile, Fried Green Tomatoes, The Upside. Her most recent TV shows were Blue Blood, Chicago Fire/P.D., Law And Order SVU, and Amsterdam. Horror movies were amongst her list too, as her favourite holiday was always Halloween! She always enjoyed getting in a scare, or quick 'troll' whenever she could. Then she'd decorate her place of home, roast pumpkin seeds, maybe play some Halo with her kids and stare at the moon on her walks before bed. She felt at peace with the change in the air, the scent of cinnamon, apple picking, and the crispness of fall... and like the leaves… leave, she modeled her vibrant and dashing evolved colors, then the wind passed too and up she flew; yet, always, she remains part of the rooted tree where her personality and legacy grew.

"Sometimes she has it all together, and sometimes she's in the process of re-creating herself. She's fought so many wars internally, and you don't understand her battles enough to tell her how to color her emotions."

-Billy Chapata 'Beautiful Enigma' Chameleon Aura 

Cheryl had a deep and passionate voice full of meaning and empathy. Fireworks suit best to symbolize her soul. She took on fights for others who felt at void. Those she supported, she would put herself at bay, until her loved ones problems went away. She felt love so deep, rivers of it were seeping through her veins. There was never one moment where Mama Bear's children were unloved. Cheryl was always protective, through the motherhood experiences ups and downs, of her children, Jonathan Pond, Chantel Dildy, Saychelle Dildy, and Ashley Pace. She loved her parents Anna T. Pace and Raymond G. Pace (predeceased), her big sister, Karen Utenis and husband Richard, as well as her brother, William (Billy) Pace, and her sister-cousin Lisa Northup with all her heart. Cheryl (Nonie), also loved her three grandchildren, Victoria Pond, Silas Pond, and Alaria Pond. Cheryl deeply loved her daughter's father, Dwight Dildy and his family to which she will always be auntie. She loved her friends, and throughout the years she always appreciated the bonds you each shared. She loved her found festival family that became family outside the festival scene too. 

      Cheryl was a survivor. She would always stand by the words in Queens song "Under Pressure"!  She knew the world needed change,  and was a firm activist and ally for causes/groups such as: Human Rights Organization; LGBTQ+; Black Lives Matter Movement; Coexistence; Ending Mental Health Stigma; Women's Rights Movement; Born This Way Foundation; Healthcare Access To All; and other various equal rights movements. Oh, importantly, she stood strongly behind the human right, freedom to speak one's mind and to know feelings were valid. 

 Cheryl will be deeply missed by all her loved ones; however, remember she will always be near.

 Just walk outside and look for the moon and look back at fond memories.

She loves you, she forgives, she commends, she supports, she worries, she is forgiven, she is loved.

You are loved. Forever and Always. 

We will always love you!

 Services will be held for close friends and relatives TBA contact Saychelle or C