Cheryl was born in Vernon, BC, and grew up on the shores of Kalamalka Lake. Her early years were spent swimming, biking, climbing trees, and skating when the lake froze.

After graduating from Vernon Senior Secondary in 1979, Cheryl left for UBC. She began dating future husband Darrell that September. After she graduated from UBC with a Bachelor’s degree in Education, they married in 1983. They lived and worked in Vancouver and Fairview, Alberta, before moving to Cranbrook with two pre-school children in 1992.

Cheryl loved kids and was an on-call teacher in Vancouver, Fairview, and Cranbrook until the mid-1990s. She also got involved as a Brownie leader and day care board member, and she helped start up the KidZone after-school care program at Highlands Elementary in 1995-98.

Her later work was with Interior Health, where she served in administrative support and coordinator roles and as a physician recruiter. She retired in 2019 with the birth of her first grandchild.

Throughout her life Cheryl was a creator, sewing clothing for her children and costumes for local theatre, quilting blankets, knitting, crafting gifts and decorations for special occasions. Her volunteer work included stints with the Hospital Auxiliary and the COTR Office Administration advisory committee, as well as a City planning committee.

Cheryl was also very musical, and she instilled that love of music in her daughters. She sang in the Sun Valley Song and Bisset choirs, played piano, and was a long-time supporter of Symphony of the Kootenays.

When it came to the outdoors, Cheryl loved everything the East Kootenay has to offer. She hiked, paddled, biked, golfed, skied, and camped throughout the region with her husband and friends, and after retirement enjoyed curling with the seniors curling club. As a gardener she created a backyard garden oasis, and where the vegetables didn’t grow, she planted flowers.

Cheryl loved family, and nothing gave her more happiness than seeing her grandchildren.

She was the organizer who planned family reunions in Vernon, Revelstoke, and Tofino, and who kept track of how everyone was doing.

Cheryl is survived by her husband Darrell, daughters Caitlin (Tim) Matwey and Keely Bethune, grandchildren Theo and Rhys, mother Joanne Cunningham, and sisters Kathleen Cunningham, Lori (Dan) Cunningham, and Janice Cunningham. She will also be lovingly remembered by her extended family and friends.

Cheryl was predeceased by her father Warren Cunningham.

Cheryl’s celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, October 14th, 2026 at 1:30 p.m., at First Baptist Church in Cranbrook. Reception to follow. The Service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person, please click the following link to view: https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/cheryl-bethune-service

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