Cheri Ann Gavin, 60, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday (Sept. 15, 2021) following a lifelong battle with Juvenile Diabetes.
Mrs. Gavin was born on May 3, 1961 in Wellsville to Clarence and Patricia (Wilson) Halsey. She was a 1979 graduate of Andover Central School and later earned her Licensed Practical Nursing degree from Greater Southern Tier BOCES, Coopers Plains Campus. On February 14, 1985 in Mooresville, N.C. she married Brian J. Gavin, who survives.
Diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes at the age of 10, she was told by her doctors that she likely would not survive her teenage years. With courage and the support of her family and friends, she overcame the challenges set before her. Twenty-five years ago, with the gift of a kidney donated by her brother, Brian Halsey, she far exceeded the prognosis given to her at such an early age.
In many ways, Cheri devoted her life to helping those that had medical challenges of their own. As an LPN she worked many years for the New York State Developmental Disabilities Service Office and Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville. Additionally, she was a postal worker for the United States Postal Service in Genesee, Pa. She also devoted many years to being a stay at home wife and mother.
In addition to her husband of 36 years, Cheri is survived by a son, Kiel M. Gavin of Andover; a brother, Brian (Tara) Halsey of Belair, Md.; a sister, Cindy Halsey of Beaufort, S.C.; her three aunts, Gloria Payne of Fredericksburg, Va., Mabel McCormick of Andover and Nora McGill of Tennessee; her great aunt, Betty Graves of Sinking Springs, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews.
Cheri loved spending time with her husband and son fishing. Some of their favorite fishing spots were Keuka Lake and Cowanesque Lake. She enjoyed painting, especially landscapes and in her younger days, riding motorcycles with her husband was a favorite pastime with Florida, South Carolina and Pennsylvania being popular destinations.
Per her wishes, there will be no prior visitation. A Celebration of Life ceremony is being planned for May 3, 2022 at her property in Greenwood, which would have been her next birthday.
Arrangements are under the direction of Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Andover. Online condolences may be offered at www.baker-swan.com.
Memorial contributions in Cheri’s name may be made to American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852. © 2021 Baker-Swan Funeral Home.
