Cherie Lynn Merrick
April 13, 1948 ~ December 27, 2017
Resided in:
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Cherie Lynn Merrick, 69, lost her battle with ALS on Wednesday, December 27, 2017. She was born in Chicago, IL, a daughter of William and Joan Clear Yandel. She moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL at a young age and has been a resident of Asheville for the past 28 years.
Cherie’s long, 7-year journey with ALS was made bearable by the care and support of family and friends.
She spent close to 25 years in the neonatal intensive care unit at Mission Hospital as a beloved and highly respected nursing unit supervisor. She will be remembered for her compassion by all the people whose lives she deeply touched, both families and staff, in her work as a nurse leader. Cherie served on the neonatal transport team, the ethics committee and in day-to-day management of the NICU. As a mentor, teacher and friend to countless colleagues, her influence lives on in those who follow her.
Cherie was also a volunteer at Hospice, Loving Food Resources and The United Way. She was a Stephen Minister and also helped with Meals On Wheels. She fostered fifteen children on and off, while caring for her own five children. Cherie was a strong and beautiful woman in every way. She will always be remembered and cherished as a loving and devoted mother, a loyal sister, a great friend and a loving wife.
If you knew Cherie, you would know that her greatest joy came from her five children, her grandchildren and her sixth kid, Rick, with whom she celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on October 3, 2017.
She is survived by her loving husband, Rick; five children, Joe Bosse, Bob Bosse, Mike Bosse, Lisa Canterbury (Justin) and Tim Bosse (April); five grandchildren, Isabella, Chance, Caroline, Emma, Henry and Hudson; two sisters, Renee Pechonis and Linda Sword (Bill); nephews Paul Chastain (Lauren), Michael Pechonis (Era), Corey Pechonis (Nina), Chris Rebol (Kate) and great nieces and nephews, Elizabeth, Dianna, Mary, Charlie, William, Porter and Wyllie.
A Celebration of Cherie’s Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at Lutheran Church Of The Nativity (at the corner of Airport Rd and Hendersonville Rd). Her family will receive friends at the church immediately following the service.
Memorial donations may be made in Cherie’s memory to either CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813 or to the WNC Birth Center, 390 South French Broad Ave., Asheville, NC 28801.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.
Very sorry to hear of your wife’s passing. You and your family will be in our
thoughts during this difficult time.
This is a beautiful tribute to Cherie.
The Miner’s would like to send our sincere sympathy to her family. I know she cared deeply for each of you and her love will give you strength.
Much love from all of us…
Rick, Kim and I are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts
and prayers for you and your family.
Rick – David and I are sending prayers your way in support at this time. What a love the two of you have shared these many years. We will be thinking of you and your entire family. Joretta and David Nelson
Rick, my thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. May God give you strength and wrap his arms around all of you at this time.
Rick, My sympathy for the passing of your wife. I will be praying for you. Thinking of you and your family.
God has welcomed home His good and faithful servant. It was an honor to know Cherie as my aunt. She was a great example to all who knew her on how to live the life of J.O.Y., Jesus first, Others second and Yourself third. She is a caring and giving soul that will be sorely missed.
Our sympathy for your loss. I( Jan) knew Cherie through her years at Mission Hospital . She was bright, beautiful, competent and well respected by all .
So sorry for your loss–Cherie was such a wonderful, loving person and a great example of strength and courage. She will be missed. I worked with her at Mission in L&D and at Loving food Resources
To the Merrick Family we would like to send our deepest Sympathy to the family you are in are prayers.
Roy and Marie Lance
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers with 5he family.
Rick, we are so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers
Tim & April & Family- I am so very sorry for your loss. As April had told me about 4 years ago – you knew it was coming probably sooner rather than later; but, no matter how prepared you might be – it still hurts deeply and leaves a void………
My prayers & thoughts will be with All of you in the difficult days, weeks and months ahead.
Rick, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Rick, what a great lady! You guys were the example of the perfect couple. Cherie will be missed.
Love you both!
Ruthie
Dear Rick,
Our prayers are with you. Cheri was very heroic in her long battle with ALS.
She deserves peace and rest at this time…..as you do also. We are sure family and the Etowah Family are there to show you support and love.
As Bobby Jones said
‘ Golf is the closest game to the game we call LIFE.
You get bad breaks from good shots.
You get good breaks from bad shots.
But you have to play the ball where it lies.’
Fondly,
Phyllis &Bill; Jonsen
Rick, so sorry to hear this pal. Cherie took care of Carson 13.5 years ago in the NIC unit. She was awesome.
Sorry for your loss Rick. ALS is a terrible disease. It is comforting to know she is at peace. My prayers go out to you at this difficult time. Sara Laber
Rick and family. So sorry for your loss.
Rick, Jo Anne & I wish to express our Deepest Sympathies during this most difficult time. I am sure she provided many fond memories and she will be with you forever looking down on you. God Bless you and your family.
Rick, I am sorry to hear about your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Rick – David and I are sending prayers your way in support at this time. What a love the two of you have shared these many years. We will be thinking of you and your entire family. Joretta and David Nelson
Dear Rick and family. We send our deepest condolences to you in the passing of Cherie; we are praying for you and love you. Come to visit sometime. In Jesus, Brian and Lisa O’Keefe
Rick & Family, We are keeping all of you in our prayers. Cherie was such a wonderful caring person. We like hundreds of other parents and grandparents remember when our granddaughter was in the NICU and Cherie took such loving care of her. She is a healthy 13 year old today and blesses our life every day. Cherie blessed many other lives in so many different ways. Now she is at peace in Heaven.
I am so very sorry for your loss, old friends. I have so many wonderful memories of days and evenings spent down the street on Bevlyn at your mom and Rick’s house. I called your mom, mom, for many years and she was that in so many ways to so many of all her children’s friends. I am blessed to have grown up 4 doors down from your family. You will ALL be in our thoughts and prayers and if there is ANYTHING at all I can do to help out in ANY WAY please don’t hesitate to ask!!!
So sorry for your loss. Cherie was an amazing Nurse, mentor, co-worker and friend. I remember her fondly and am so glad and lucky to have known her. You are all in our thoughts.
Rick, Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow.
Rick so sorry to hear about the passing of cherie. My prayers are with you and your family scott
Dear Renee, Mikey, Corey and family, I am so very sad to learn of Cherie’s passing. I wish that I had met her, but know that you must find peace in knowing that she is with the Lord whom she served faithfully in so many wonderful ways.
Rick and family, You are in my thoughts and prayers. You are on the Avery’s Creek United Methodist prayer list. Cherie was loved so much by all the nurses and staff of the NICU. She was wonderful!!!
For we know this world is not our home. ..until that great day when yiu are reunited…I’m so sorry for your loss. ALS is a difficult journey. May tge Lord Jesus comfort you.
Rick, While I didn’t know Cherie well, I have many friends who did and they have always spoken of her kind, generous and indomitable spirit. Such a loss to our community! I’m sorry for you and all those who loved her.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your Family.