CHERYL LASSON

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CHERYL LASSON January 18, 1967 - November 7, 2009 After a 19 year battle with Multiple Sclerosis, this remarkable soul passed away peacefully November 7, 2009 at Riverview Health Centre. Cheryl leaves to cherish her memory her soul mate and best friend of 24 years, Dale; her Mom and Dad Helga and Eddie Lasson of Portage La Prairie; her sister Heather (Ron Pelletier), niece and nephew Gabrielle and Liam; also Aunt Gloria Kunka of Ottawa and parents Bill and Leona Burdeniuk. Cheryl was born and raised in St. James / Assiniboia in Winnipeg where she graduated from Silver Heights and the University of Manitoba. She was an accomplished swimmer and worked many summers as a lifeguard. All throughout her studies, Cheryl was also a brilliant musician and received her ARCT from the Royal Conservatory in Toronto (Piano Performers). Many spares during university afternoons were spent practicing for her music exams while Dale listened on for encouragement. She was hired by Great West Life in Winnipeg where she worked as Senior Financial Analyst for 11 years before her illness forced her to leave. Dale and Cheryl met in University; although both originally had other aspirations, their common aptitude for math brought them together in the Faculty of Commerce. It truly was love at first sight, but these kindred spirits chose to complete their studies, waiting to get married until they finished their professional designations. They began their life as husband and wife on June 20, 1992. As Cheryl's M.S. symptoms were already surfacing during her university days, Cheryl and Dale made a conscious choice to live every day to the fullest, making each moment a memory. Despite what anyone else may have expressed to the contrary, they did what they knew was best and packed four lifetimes into their short 24 years together . . . two lifetimes for each of them. Their passion for music and travel took them all over the world: to London, England and Broadway in New York city three times; to Toronto usually once per year where they saw Cheryl's favourite musical, Miss Saigon with Winnipeg's very own Ma'Anne Dionisio. The M.S. progressed and soon, though they did not stop completely, adventures became more limited. In 2003, when Cheryl was no longer well enough to fly, Dale drove her 4002 miles to Las Vegas to live her long-time dream of returning to see Celine Dion at Caesar's Palace one last time. They had enjoyed Celine so many times at Caesar's old showroom Circus Maximus throughout the previous ten years, long before Celine became the Las Vegas legend at The Colosseum she is today. Cheryl enjoyed many trips to this exciting city because what people did not realize was that for those brief three or four days, the bright lights and fabulous entertainment helped her relax and forget the darkness she would return to at home. For a fleeting moment, she and Dale could at least pretend the MS had disappeared... It was after their birthdays in 1997 that Cheryl and Dale got their beloved collie who they named Caesar (they used money they had won from a jackpot at Caesar's Palace to buy their purebred pup.) Caesar was a gift from God in every sense of the word. He saved Cheryl's life on two separate occasions by being able to foretell grand mal seizures and fetching Dale in time. His undying devotion and compassion during Cheryl's illness brought immeasurable comfort to the couple over the years. Tragically, the night before Christmas Eve two years ago, Caesar died unexpectedly from blastomycosis. Cheryl took it in stride, as always, and strongly chose to be thankful that Caezzie had not suffered as she had and passed away in peace on his beloved leather couch. Thanks to her compassionate HomeCare workers Cheryl was able to remain in the couple's home in Oak Bluff where they enjoyed 11 wonderful years until August 2005. At that time, the illness was so severe that it was no longer possible for her to remain at home. After an unforgivable two year battle of wits with regional health authorities, Cheryl was finally admitted to end of life care at Riverview Health Centre where she got her final rest. Our hearts go out to the compassionate staff in CD4. You made Cheryl's dignity, care and comfort your top priority. You recognized her unwavering sense of humour and took every opportunity to joke with her and help lighten those tough times. Making Cheryl feel so welcome meant more than you will ever know. Cheryl will be sorely missed by her dear friends, fellow residents Bertha and Kim, who took such great pride in watching over Cheryl and assuring Dale she would be okay when he could not be there . . . they would look after Cheryl. Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to Cheryl's best friends Joan (Matthew) Todd of Headingley, Carla (Curt) Amey of Brandon, Lillian Tremblay, the people of southern Manitoba, Holly and Betty (and Buttons) and Lorraine and Bill King for their love and support. Without the care and compassion of Cheryl's guardian angels (her Homecare Workers: Lucille, Shirley, Tess and Gail; Irene, Jackie, Marilyn and Margaret), she never would have been able to remain at home in Oak Bluff with Dale for those final years. Throughout her entire battle, Cheryl's courage never faded, nor did her infectious smile and laughter which amazed each new companion she met. It meant so much for Cheryl to have made her final goal of being admitted to Riverview. Our appreciation goes out to all who tirelessly helped Dale to finally get Cheryl there and to Riverview's Chaplain Tim Fryrmire for the countless hours he spent reading to and comforting Cheryl. A celebration of Cheryl's immeasurable strength and spirit was held on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at Charleswood United Church in Winnipeg with the Rev. Dr. Michael Wilson officiating with reception following graciously provided by our family at Charleswood United. Honorary pallbearers were Lucille Lambert, Shirley Troster, Tess Alcantara and Gail Foster. Arrangements by McKenzie's Portage Funeral Chapel of Portage La Prairie. Cheryl loved flowers and ALL things pink. Nurses will attest to how much Cheryl adored her stuffed animals and the comfort they brought to her. Those attending the funeral brought a new teddy bear/stuffed animal. Thanks to their generosity, hundreds of bears will be given to patients at Riverview and Winnipeg Children's Hospital in Cheryl's memory along with a visit for each recipient. Over the next year and a half, a charitable foundation is being established in memory of Cheryl and her love for Caesar: Dogctors on Collie, providing pet therapy and compassionate visitors to homebound individuals, autistic children, Alzheimer's patients and those in hospital and long-term care in need of a furry friend. No one knows if we'll live for years or longer. But I know for sure, our true love makes us stronger. And with uncertainty wherever we may be, It helps to know for sure He's watching you and me . . . so carefully. Take my hand and we'll walk on, arm in arm. God above will keep us safe from harm. His miracle of Life, a gift that's meant to share by two. . . And his angel, who came and blessed my life, was you. . . from Take My Hand (Copyright @ Dale Lasson 1991) A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com 857-4021

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 14, 2009