Remembering Cheryl Eileen McLean

With profound sadness, we announce that Cheryl McLean died Thursday January 27, 2022 at Mariposa Hospice House. With her death, we have lost a lovely human being. Cheryl was the beloved sister of Joan Morgan of Orillia; aunt of Joshua and his wife Laura Morgan of Orillia, and Jonathan Morgan of Toronto; and former partner of Sinikka Heikkila (pre-deceased). She was also the gentle, loving great-aunt of Wynn, Samuel, and Jude Morgan all of Orillia.

Cheryl was born in 1949 in Orillia, to Betty (Gill) and Archie McLean. She grew up on Albert Street, with her parents and sister, attending Central Public School and Park Street Collegiate. In the Albert and Nottawasaga Street neighbourhood, she formed long friendships with Karen Lamb (Stockdale) and Janet Evans (Brown-Wilson). She was a natural athlete playing all levels of high school and varsity sport. She graduated from Laurentian University in the first graduating class of the Heath and Physical Education Program (1971) and later received a Bachelor of Education. She made lasting friendships at Laurentian with Pat Irwin (Janota), George Janota, Judy Cronin, Vikki Mitchell, Jim Hill, Roberta O’Donaghue, and Mike Gilligan (pre-deceased).

 After a few years teaching high school in the Sudbury area, she joined the Bank of Montreal’s Manager Training Program. She was bank manager of several branches in Sudbury, North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie; however, in the early 1980’s another metamorphosis brought her to Ottawa where she worked with refugees entering the Capital region. Her experiences in Settlement House and as team lead at the YWCA-YMCA Language Assessment and Resources Centre were deeply meaningful. She was humbled by the personal histories of clients forced to flee their homelands.

 After retiring in 2003, for a number years she had fun working with a neighbourhood gardening crew, and walking and boarding dogs. A high point was being asked to stay in Rideau Hall to look after Governor General David Johnston and his wife, Sharon’s, beloved dog, Cato.

 In 2016, Cheryl moved back to Orillia and once again made good friendships with Ellen Cohen, Marilyn Lane, and Janice and Carlo Tulipano. Cheryl loved relaxed drives through the hills of Medonte, and the Coldwater/Severn Falls areas where her parents’ lives began. She had a great interest in history and politics. CBC’s Power and Politics has lost one of its most attuned listeners. She was infinitely kind. She never made a hurtful comment to or about another person. While somewhat shy, her gentleness and grace charmed everyone who knew her. She made intelligent, honest, and often funny observations. She worried about the environment, cared deeply about Truth and Reconciliation, and was learning about Buddhism within a small Sangha of Sisters.

 Most of all, Cher was devoted to her family. She followed the arcs of her nephews’ lives and gave to them in any way she could. She was utterly delighted by Wynn, Samuel and Jude. She was so loved by us, it is painful to imagine life without her voice and her beautiful smile. We will miss her in ways we cannot yet fathom.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life in honour Cheryl McLean Sunday June 26, 1:00-4:00, at the home of Josh and Laura Morgan, 100 Tecumseth Street, Orillia, ON, L3V 1Y2. We’ll spend a casual afternoon in the back yard. Please bring an outdoor chair and suitable outer wear. If the weather necessitates, we’ll move indoors. At approximately 1:45, a few words will be spoken in memory of Cher. We welcome guests to share memories as well.

If desired, donations in Cheryl’s memory may be made to Orillia SPCA,  The Lighthouse, Mariposa House Hospice, or The Couchiching Conservancy amd will be received by the Carson Funeral Homes – L. Doolittle Chapel, 54 Coldwater St. E Orillia (705) 326-3595.