Obituary of Cheryl Gingras

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family of Cheryl Margaret Gingras (Clark)
announce her passing after a long battle with cancer. Cheryl was an avid volunteer in her
community, specifically highlighted by being the Inaugural President of the Kanata-Carleton
Women’s Provincial & Federal Associations and her tireless advocacy for the advancement of all
aspects of women issues. Cheryl could always be found elbow deep in gathering and organizing
volunteers and friends for different events and fundraisers to further causes and support
organizations that were close to her heart. Cheryl always kept up to date on local and National
news and was always eager to discuss and share her perspectives and views with family
members and friends.

During growing season, Cheryl, as a passionate gardener, could always be found outside in the
yard tending her extensive gardens. Her love of gardening naturally led her to become an active
board member of the Ottawa Horticultural Society and she was always willing to help a friend
with landscaping, splitting and giving plants from her own gardens to help others with creating
their own garden oasis. She also loved wildlife and created safe havens for her community’s
smallest living members in her backyard. Cheryl’s Canadian Nationalism was most prominently
displayed through her avid support for the various sports events and teams she (Hockey,
Curling, Tennis, Soccer, Olympics, etc.) watched and followed throughout the year.

Cheryl is survived by her loving and devoted husband Sebastien, her son Ken (Toni) and
daughter Karren (Darren), Grandchildren Ethan, Mataya, Keeleigh and Arison, sisters Thelma
(Paul) and Heather, brother Lorne (Alice), and extended family. Cheryl was predeceased by her
Mother and Father, Henrietta (Hettie) and Maxwell (Max) Clark.

Cheryl was born 26 December 1947 in Kenora and grew up in Atikokan, Ontario, before moving
to Thunder Bay where she studied and became a Registered Nurse. In 1997 Cheryl moved to
Ottawa where she lived with her husband until their first military posting with the Royal
Canadian Regiment in Oromocto, New Brunswick. While at CFB Gagetown, Cheryl volunteered
with the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC), became a board member and helped provide
support to families of other soldiers during overseas deployments. In 2011 Cheryl and Sebastien
returned to Ottawa.

Our family would like to thank the amazing Staff and Volunteers at the Ruddy Shenkman
Hospice and to her longtime dedicated and favourite family medical doctor, Dr. Timothy Cregan,
Trish and Staff for all of their support and help especially over the last few weeks of her time
with us.

A celebration of life for Cheryl will be held at a later date (tentatively mid-May) at the Christ
Risen Lutheran Church. Detailed information will be made available once the date is firmed-up
via Cheryl’s Memorial Facebook page.