Obituary of Annette-Gabrielle St. -Jean

CHERRY ANNETTE GABRIELLE -- Annette Gabrielle Cherry, 68, was born in Pembroke, Ontario, Canada on March 25, 1936. The daughter of Simon and Adelaide St. Jean, sister to Loretta, Janette, Mark and Simone and aunt to many nieces and nephews, especially Helena, all of whom loved her dearly. Annette passed away after a long battle with colon cancer the morning of December 30, 2004 surrounded by her loving family and devoted husband of 45 years, Chuck. Annette lovingly raised two sons; Chuck, Jr. and Dean, both of whom reside in San Diego. She nurtured very close relationships with both daughters-in-law, Peggi Shea and Tee Cherry, and helped them raise her three grandchildren, Amanda, Kaitlyn and Nathan. Friends of her sons best knew her simply as "Mama Cherry," a name easily given and spoken affectionately, coined by her daughter-in-law, Tee. Annette was the kind of woman that people enjoyed; smart, thoughtful, caring, courageous and giving. These are only a few of the words that best describe how Annette lived her life. Annette worked for the Medevac Paramedic Services, then at the San Diego Unified School District spanning a period of over 20 years, where she developed many lasting relationships that she cherished until the end. Most of her attention over the last few years was devoted to her husband, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, for whom she was always creating unique gifts through her talents of quilting and preserving. She also enjoyed life at the family's second home in Baja, south of San Felipe where she spent many hours with friends, playing cards and riding her quad up and down the beach with her husband Chuck. This is where Annette flourished, surrounded by her family and newfound friends. Services and a Celebration of Her Life will be Monday, Jan. 24, 2005 at 1 p.m. at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery with a gathering immediately following at Presidio Place Condominiums-Clubhouse 5605 Friars Rd. Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on 1/10/2005.