

Cheryl was born on January 5th, 1947, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to her beloved father George Robert McGhan and mother Alice Marie Anderson McGhan, her sister Betty Marie McGhan Zak and brother-in-law James Allen Zak (all now deceased). Cheryl is survived by her beloved brother Daniel O'Lee McGhan and her niece Tracy Ann Zak and many loving cousins and friends.
Cheryl grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Sacramento, California, and Anchorage, Alaska. She lived a few years in the Netherlands and traveled extensively throughout Europe.
On June 3rd, 1965, Cheryl graduated from West Anchorage High School. In 1971, Cheryl received her diploma from Sacramento State City College receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech. On January 3rd, 1979, Cheryl received her Master of Arts in Educational (Behavioral Science) from California State University, Sacramento writing her thesis on Transcendental Meditation. Later, Cheryl received her teaching credentials and completing conversational German and Spanish. She always desired to learn something new.
Cheryl joined the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Mayflower Society as she loved discovering her genealogy and learning all about her DNA heritage.
Cheryl had a fulfilling career as a School Teacher for over 40 years. She was known for her generous donations to the SPCA, Animal Rights Foundation, Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Peace of Mind, Animal Friends Rescue Project, and many non-profits. Cheryl loved teaching school and the love for all her students and to watch them blossom into amazing adults was very rewarding to her as Cheryl never married or had children of her own. She loved children, animals, and her book club. She lived life with Joy! She truly embraced Cabo, Mexico, learning Spanish and making her yearly trips to Mexico. She loved meeting new people. Her outgoing and fun-loving spirit touched everyone she met, and she will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her.
She is in heaven now with her dog Yoshi “Blue Moon” Shadows and her horse, Missy. Cheryl’s ashes were laid to rest on Thursday, January 8th, 2026, joining her parents' location along the Illinois and Rogue Rivers transporting her out into the beautiful Pacific Ocean in Gold Beach, Oregon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Village Project, Inc. for the Freedom Reins Equine Therapy Program of Monterey County, the Community Partnership for Youth (CPY) in Seaside, and/or the Boys and Girls Club of Monterey County. You can do so by clicking on the links below.
Cheryl would appreciate your help too with any animal rescue organization in your area.
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