Sunday, June 10, 2018
Cheri wasn't just a member of Icehouse - she was a leader in creating it. When she had her studio, a group of us who'd lost our last studio because it closed approached Cheri to open her studio for a new, extra class, so we could continue our growth. Cheri made room for us in her studio, soon took up room in our hearts, and even in closing her studio helped build the Icehouse and gave us the confidence to take up our room on the pottery scene in NJ (the Potter's Guild of NJ is home to many of Cheri's students and Icehouse friends.) How lucky were we to have a teacher, friend, and benefactor such as Cheri. She helped us all grow and came along for the ride, to continue her own work. We were so sorry (and yet as excited as was she) to say goodbye when she left for Kentucky and so happy when she allowed us to be part of her healing back in NJ. Her return to the Icehouse fold was a very happy event for us. But now we have to say yet another goodbye ... this one unexpected and unhappy.... to our dear, thoughtful, and talented friend. She will be so very missed by all of us at Icehouse - from the inception, through the growing pains, to the active group we still have, thanks to our own dear Cheri. I will never forget her smile, her laugh, her muddy hands, her encouragement, her enthusiasm, her strength in moving forward, always forward. Nothing could compare to the sparkle in her eyes when she talked about her sons and her daughter-in-law and especially her grandsons. I am so sorry for the great loss that we feel, but as much, and perhaps more, for her family and loved ones who have lost this great lady.
