Forever in our hearts...

Cheryl M. Read, age 68, of Coupeville passed away peacefully July 23rd surrounded by her family and loved ones. She was born March 31, 1944 in Sumas, to Vance and Mae (Dickinson) Clark. Cheryl grew up in Bellingham where she met her high school sweetheart Carl (Bill) Read and soon married in August of 1965. Cheryl loved to learn and earned multiple degrees which included Elementary Education (1966), Early Childhood (1972), and a Masters in Learning Resources (1986). She was an educator at heart and taught at all levels from preschool to college.

Cheryl had a true passion for books. She enjoyed all kinds of stories, and often read up to eight books at a time. Cheryl also had a love for nature. She enjoyed walking, bird watching, and spending time at the beach with her grandchildren.

Cheryl was very giving of her time and very active in the communities in which she lived. She always had a special place in her heart for those in need. A sampling of her public service included Ferndale Planning Commission, F.L.A.G. Community Library Group, Ferndale Library Board, Christ Lutheran Church, and founder of the Ferndale Community Meal, which continues to serve hundreds of families in the Ferndale area today. In 1983 she was voted Woman of the Year!

Cheryl’s family meant the world to her. Cheryl is survived by her loving husband of 47 years Carl (Bill) Read of Coupeville, WA, sister Coleen and Jeff Mayville of Houston, TX and brother Roger Clark and Elaine Rickman of Camano Island. She is survived by her children Michael and Lynn Read of Seattle, Robert and Christina Read of Lynden, and Ryan and Christine Wasserman of Bellingham. She has five grandchildren, Nevan Read, Natalia & Johanna Read, and Benjamin & Zoe Wasserman.

A celebration of life service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Whidbey Island, Saturday September 8th at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Ferndale Community Meal or in support of this website at Caringbridge.org.  The Ferndale Community Meal program can be reached at:

PO Box 2205
5694 Second Ave.
Ferndale, WA  98248
(360) 380-2200

The Read Family........

"Our Mother"

Cheryl Read, May 2010

Caring Bridge: Cheryl Read

Tonight my heart aches with the loss of "our mother"... 
 

Our Mother

“Mother-in-law” they say, and yet
Somehow I simply can’t forget
‘Twas you who watched his baby ways,
Who taught him his first hymn of praise,
Who smiled on him with loving pride,
When he first toddled by your side.

“Mother-in-law” but oh, ‘twas you
Who taught him to be kind and true;
When he was tired, almost asleep,
‘Twas to your arms he used to creep.
And when he bruised his tiny knee,
‘Twas you who kissed it tenderly.

“Mother-in-law” they say, and yet
Somehow I never shall forget
How much I owe
To you,
who taught him how to grow.

You trained your son to look above,
You made of him the man I love.
And so I think of that today
When with thankful heart I’ll say,
“Our Mother.”
~ unknown