Obituary of Cheri L Walker

Cheri was born on November 13th 1960 at St Luke’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado. She was born to Sue Jessen and Terry Brady (deceased). She grew up in the Ruby Hill neighborhood in Denver and went to Washington High School and in 1976 they moved to Genoa, Colorado. Cheri graduated Genoa High School in 1978. She attended Northeastern Junior College.

Cheri was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and a powerful woman of faith. She loved adventures and spending time with her family and friends.

John and Cheri met at Icthus Christian Musical festival in Wilmore Kentucky in1984 and on February 15, 1985, she married John Walker, and in 1986 they had their first child, Davis. Later, John and Cheri saw a documentary about the humanitarian crisis in Romania following a failed communist regime and were compelled to act. In 1991 Cheri, along with her mother, Sue, departed to Romania with no real idea of God's true intentions. They returned with John and Cheri's second child, Loredana. Through the process of adoption it was discovered that Loredana's biological siblings were also living in Romanian Orphanages. Cheri, along with Sue and her stepfather, Randy, made numerous trips to Romania to rescue Loredana's siblings from the orphanage system. John and Cheri later adopted Miamina and Samuel, Loredana's younger siblings. Ana, Loredana's older sister, was eventually adopted by Sue and Randy. 

Cheri homeschooled their four children. She aided in the planting of a local church which persists to this day. Cheri was a founding

board member of Global Hope, a christian charity that provides a loving home setting for

orphaned children in eastern Europe, Africa and India.

John and Cheri and the kids pack up and moved to California so that Davis and Loredana could pursue a career in the arts. While living there they regularly went to Disneyland and Universal Studios and to the beach on family outings.

There she informally adopted many of her children's friends, and became a mother to Jackie Manley. She decided to pursue a late career in nursing, graduating in 2012 from Otero Community College at the age of 52. SHE PASSED NCLEX and became a registered Nurse.

In 2013 she was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease and, though she was unable to work as a nurse, she persisted in the same fierce love and fearless determination.  Following the diagnosis: She continued to travel with her family.

She became an active and inspirational force in the Renal Patient community. She became a board member for low income housing units in Limon, CO. She traveled hundreds of miles weekly to spend time with Sue and Randy, her brother Dave, her children, and her grandchildren. She endured dialysis, surgeries, numerous health issues, and through it all she remained faithful, determined, and fiercely loving. 

Cheri passed on June 23, 2019 at University of Colo.  Hospital in Aurora, Colorado

Cheri was preceded in death by her grandparents, Floyd & Louise Dozier and Gladys Beason; her father, Terry Brady, a brother who died at birth and her father & mother-in-law Dale & Betty Walker.

She is survived by her parents, Randy & Sue Jessen (Ana), her husband of 34 yrs., John Walker.  Her children: Davis & Abby Walker (Jordan, Aubrey & Blake); Loredana & John Lampman, Mia & Tim Hamilton (Elijah & Athena Giersdorf); Sam Walker; Jackie & Bryan Manley (Emmet & Edie); brother David and sister-in-law Shari Darling, David’s children: Tara & Chris Potter (Walter & Ryder); Kyler & Talia Brady (Brynnlee), Keyla Brady; brother Mackenzie Brady & significant other Aja Lopez. Her brother- & sister-in-law JR & Dawn Walker. And many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and friends from Bucharest, Romania to Los Angeles, Ca.

Memorial Contributions can be made to:

Global Hope

P.O. Box 1052

Broomfield, CO 80038

or UCH.foundation@uchealth.org ~ 303-752-8120