Cheryl Ann Leach, 54, of East Burke, was encircled by family and friends when she passed away at her home Friday, Aug. 26, 2005, after a courageous bout with cancer. Cheri was born in St. Johnsbury on Oct. 19, 1950, the daughter of Reginald and Adeline (Johannes) Leach. She attended Burke schools and graduated from Lyndon Institute in 1968. After several years of working at various trades, Cheri enrolled at Lyndon State College, majoring in psychology, and graduated with honors on May 19, 1991. She was a member of the Arthur B. Elliot honor society and was a recipient of the Rita L. Bole Outstanding Student Scholarship. From that point until her illness prohibited it, she worked in the human services field, positively impacting the lives of many local residents. Cheri was known for her adventurous and artistic spirit, making countless friends along the road through life. She thoroughly enjoyed her many opportunities to travel, and continually enjoyed hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, kayaking and photography. Cheri was predeceased by her younger brother, Alan; and by her mother, Adeline. She is survived by her daughter, Roni Leach, who was "Her Joy," of Burke; her father, Reginald Leach of Burke; her brother, Kenneth Leach and his wife Linda of Burke; her niece, Jessica Leach and her partner Eric Hudson and their children of Kirby; her nephew, Jacob Leach of Sunderland, Mass.; a very special cousin, Brother Conrad Irrgang of St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Mass.; and many other cousins, near and far, including Ron Leach, of Burke, and Joanne Washburn of Pullman, Wash. A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 11 a.m., at the Wildflower Inn on Darling Hill Road, Lyndonville. Condolences and or flower arrangements for the memorial service may be sent to the family at 1258 Pinkham Road, East Burke, VT 05832. Contributions in Cheri's memory can be made to the American Cancer Society.