Remembering Cheryl on Her Birthday ~

 

Cheryl Ginochio nee McGill 

1956 ~ 2009

~ Find A Grave memorial ~ 

Cheryl and I go way back . . . she was my first childhood friend after arriving in Monterey, California, from Germany. Cheryl's mom and dad took very good care of me while my mom worked during the day.

The last time I saw Cheryl was when our daughters were first born in 1979/1980 . . . When I did a search on Cheryl and her family . . . I found her mom, Hazel and her phone number. She was still living in the same home as back in 1979. Sadly, I found out that Cheryl had suddenly passed in 2009.  We spent many a summers together . . . and I only wish we hadn't lost touch.

Hazel and I now talk regularly . . . she is in her mid nineties and doing well. When we talk, we recall many wonderful memories and have shared the good times and the hardships that we have gone through over the years.  I did visit Hazel when I traveled back to Santa Clara, CA, for my high school reunion in August of 2012. It was so good to see her and give her a big hug, look at old photos and chat. I made sure I took my Flip Pal Mobile Scanner and as we went through the photos, Hazel was kind enough to let me have several originals and scan many others . . . I had no idea some of these photos even existed. Thank you, dear Hazel.

Cheryl's final resting place is right next to her dad, Mac . . . both resting in peace now.

Happy Birthday my dear friend . . . I miss and love you always ~ 

Remembering Cheryl ~

 

Cheryl Lynn Ginochio nee McGill 

7 Sept 1956 ~ 8 Jun 2009 

On this day, 56 years ago, a very dear friend, Cheryl, was born to Hazel and Denver 'Mac' McGill (1921 ~ 2002). Cheryl and I grew up together . . . we met in Monterey, California in 1957, living next door to each other. Cheryl's mom, Hazel, babysat me while my mom was at work. I spent many a summers (Bakersfield, Merced, Castro Valley, CA) and even part of a school year (Merced, CA) living in their home. Hazel and Mac treated me as one of their own and I will never forget how loved I was.

Both of our families moved and migrated to the Bay Area, living within an hour of each other through-out the years. As Cheryl and I grew older, we stayed in touch as much as life would allow us to. There was a period of time that Cheryl and I lost touch but we connected again when we both had our daughters . . . they are very close in age. The last time I saw Cheryl was in 1981 and just before I moved from Northern California to Southern California, . . . when I moved, we lost touch . . . for over 30 years!

This year, I was determined to find her . . . I was very sad to learn that Cheryl passed in 2009 and Mac, her father, passed in 2002, but Hazel, Cheryl's mom, is still with us and well . . . 91 years well! We have been talking . . . a lot, she has been sending photos to me of Cheryl and I. We laugh and cry over so many wonderful memories of those days. What a gift to have found Hazel . . . her mind is bright and sharp . . . she remembers mom and so there are stories that I would have missed had I not found her, she is a beautiful soul and I am so so glad I dug and searched until I found her . . . a sweet reunion!

Cheryl is survived by her beautiful daughter, Chelsey and her beautiful mom, Hazel.

Happy Birthday, Cheryl, we love and miss you . . . .

Photos of Cheryl and I: A gift from Hazel to yours truly ~  

Backgrounds: BeNotForgot, Playing with Brushes  and

Shadow House Creations ~