After a brief period of illness, our beautiful and beloved Cherryl Jennifer Stephen departed this life in peace. She entered this life on July 14, 1967, in the Village of Vergenoegen in Essequibo, Guyana, South America. She departed from this earthly realm on May 14, 2024, in Manhattan, New York.
Cherryl was the daughter of Peter Joseph Stephen and Louise Ursula Nelom, both of whom predeceased her in 2016 and 2023, respectively. Also preceding her in death was her younger brother Linden Stephen, who passed on in December 2018. Cherryl was the sixth child of Peter and Louise.
Cherryl attended the Pearl B. Larsen elementary school and the Elena Christian middle school on St. Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She graduated from high school in the City of Yonkers, New York in 1985. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University and she a Doctorate of Law and a Masters in Library Sciences from Syracuse University.
Cherryl had a 40-year resume that included: The Frick Art Reference Library; White and Case, LLP; Sullivan and Cromwell, LLP; and Reed Smith, LLP. She also had numerous cultural and popular interests, such as art exhibitions, musicals, dance and concerts, with passions for Beyoncé and BTS – Korean pop. For several years, she entered and finished the New York City’s Walkers’ Marathon. She enjoyed traveling to the Caribbean and to Europe. She lived fully!
Cherryl was a loving and dedicated aunt known for her hearty laugh and sense of humor. She participated, enthusiastically, in birthday celebrations, babysitting and graduation ceremonies. She wanted all six nieces and nephews to achieve the best in school and in life, as she had been taught to do by her own parents. She demonstrated the same love, attention and generosity to all members of her nuclear and extended family and friends.
As with all of her siblings, she had a profound personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ and prayed often with her older sister, Annita. This provided serenity during the most difficult stages of her recent illness.
Cherryl is survived by her brothers Wesley (Gloria), Joseph (Sherri), John (Colette), and sisters Annita and Linda (Fabrizio.) She also leaves behind two nieces, Pamela and Mellina; and four nephews, Gabriel, Samuel, Luca and Matteo, along with many other cousins, relatives, and friends.
