Cheryl Mathison

If you were expecting a typical obituary, this will not be it. Written on March 17, 2021, by the deceased herself (hopefully long before it was needed.) Cheryl Ann Mathison was born to Matt (Thurlow) and Ann Mathison on January 25, 1956, which also happened to be her paternal grandmother’s birthday. An only child, we lived in Fresno, California until I was 12. Childhood adventures included time spent at the family cabin at Huntington Lake, fishing, hiking in the woods, and spying on the mysterious Christian Brother’s camp at the bottom of our hill. When not in the mountains, I could be found in our swimming pool. Each year my family traveled north to escape the California heat and would visit family in Bellingham on our way to British Columbia for fishing and camping. During the summer between the 5th and 6th grade my parents purchased property in Whatcom County where they would build a trailer park and start the next chapter in our adventure. Becoming a country kid was difficult for me and took some time to get used to. After the first day of school, I remember telling my mother that the school had more flies than kids. Thank goodness for Marian Snider, who became my lifelong sister-friend starting that year. In all these years, I have never let her forget that she is four days older than me. After high school I followed in my mother’s footsteps and went to beauty college. After a 45-year hairdressing career that included several years of salon work, teaching, and salon ownership, the Covid Pandemic forced me into retirement. I remain grateful to all the friendships made over the shampoo sink, and my long-term working partner, Carol Timms-Akeley. Life moves on, and after my parent’s deaths and a divorce, I moved to the south side of Bellingham, which has remained my home ever since. I was blessed to be able to buy a home in a beautiful neighborhood and build on a beauty shop space where I could work while I pursued a college education. Heading back to school at thirty-eight was intimidating, but I found that I loved school and continued until I completed a Masters in Adult Education. During that time, I became a Big Sister through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization, then went to work for them as the Director of Community Based Programs. Working with children and families was rewarding but working for “soft” money in a non-profit was not secure, so I went to work at Western Washington University. Little did I know the state also runs on “soft” money! In 2004 I married Jim Henderson. We almost didn’t meet because he lived in Everett and thought Bellingham was too far away. Little did he know that once we met, we would become inseparable. Traveling to Ireland in 2012 with sister-friend Soozi Crosby lives in my memory as the best trip I have ever taken. The Oregon coast, especially Bandon, remains dear in my heart and a place where I would meet my beloved cousin Patrick and his wife Patricia for family vacations. I have been fortunate enough to see many places in my lifetime that have left a lasting impression and fond memories: Hawaii, Switzerland, and the Grand Canyon to name a few. As a lifelong reader I started a book club shortly after graduating from college in my 40’s, and it has continued on since then. We have stuck together through thick and thin and a pandemic. This remarkable group of sister-friends, Kelli Reilly, Susan Kincaid, Deb Brinson, Kris Slentz, Susan Gribbin, and Soozi Crosby has been a support and source of love and laughter in my life. While working at WWU, I became a union activist. As a union board and bargaining team member I gave back to my community by doing my best to represent the collective voice. I will always be humbled by the honor of serving my community as a union member. At this time, I have no idea why I am no longer living in this world, but I hope that I have left it a little better than it was. As I lived my life, I learned what I believe is the most important thing one can: Only kindness matters. As a last act of kindness, I ask that if you wish to remember me, please do it with a donation to the Bellingham Food Bank.

Cheryl Mathison

January 25, 1956 - August 26, 2022