Cheryl Ann Blackman's Obituary
In the early morning hours of December 7, 2016, at the age of 53, Cheryl Ann Blackman slipped away, leaving her family, friends and cherished community after a lengthy battle with breast cancer.
Cheryl was the youngest in a family of four girls and is survived by her beloved mother, Shirley R. Dwyer Bennett (Rehoboth Beach), three sisters: Barbara L. Blackman Rynkowski (Lewes), Valery L. Blackman Cordrey (Millsboro), and Sharon L. Blackman Sherwood (Lewes), and step-mother Evelyn LaScala Blackman (Dover). Cheryl was predeceased by her father, Conrad R. Blackman (Dover), and step-father, Robert M. Bennett (Camden-Wyoming).
Born on June 19, 1963, in Dover, DE, Cheryl spent her youth in the rural community of Canterbury and many summers in Rehoboth Beach. After graduating from the Benedictine School in Ridgely, Maryland, in 1983, Rehoboth Beach became her permanent home and the Rehoboth Beach community her family.
Cheryl had a passion for roller skating, which perfectly suited her high energy and outgoing personality, and she soon became a frequent and favorite community sighting. It was Cheryl’s roller skating talent that would later help land her first major motion picture role; Miss Piggy’s stunt double in “The Muppets Take Manhattan.” Her Hollywood resume would go on to include “Her Alibi” with Tom Selleck, “Avalon” with Elijah Wood, and “Violets are Blue” with Sissy Spacek.
Indeed, Cheryl’s trademark roller skates remained on when a daring George Chiartas hired Cheryl to her first official job; as a waitress at his Beach Luncheon on the boardwalk. Over the next 16 years Cheryl’s persona and confidence grew under George’s caring mentorship as she became more family than employee. When the Luncheon sadly closed its doors, Grotto Pizza founder Dominick Pulieri invited Cheryl to join his wait staff. Over the years her duties expanded to parties and special functions, where she entertained kids of all ages by making balloon animals, and sporting ever more colorful holiday outfits.
Locals and visitors alike looked forward to seeing the 4’3”, larger-than-life personality in her over-the-top holiday-themed fashions. Her patriotic red, white and blue sparkle would rival that of any 4th of July fireworks and she would stand proudly by our local Veterans every Memorial Day. She absolutely delighted in her role as Santa’s trusted Elf in the annual Christmas parade and her Lucky Leprechaun character was a popular figure for both St. Patrick’s Day and the Chesapeake Celtic Festival.
Although Cheryl’s perpetual sunny outlook and star-quality initially caught our eye, it was her life-long philanthropic efforts that captured our hearts. Over the years she raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local organizations and charities including: Rehoboth Beach - Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce, Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, Beebe Medical Center, Village Improvement Association, Cordrey Charities, and the Chesapeake Celtic Festival. Cheryl was also the biggest single fundraiser for her favorite charity, KINfolk, a remarkable achievement accomplished one raffle ticket at a time. In 2011, Cheryl’s special talents earned her the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award and in 2012, while undergoing cancer treatment, Cheryl proudly accepted the Jefferson Award in recognition of her outstanding Community Service on Delmarva.
While helping Rehoboth Beach earn its reputation as the “Nation’s Summer Capitol,” Cheryl was establishing her own legacy as an enduring Rehoboth Beach Icon. Simply put, she was a little person with a great big heart, whose charitable work and uniquely warm and giving personality has inspired and delighted a community for decades .She unassumingly won the hearts of all who knew her and may well be remembered as the brightest star to have ever skated into our lives.
All are invited to celebrate Cheryl’s remarkable life at Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, on Wednesday, December 21, at 1pm.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Tunnell Cancer Center, 18947 John J Williams Hwy, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 and Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Please sign Cheryl's online guestbook located on this site.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE HAVE ALL FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS DELIVERED BY 3 PM, TUESDAY DECEMBER 20, 2016 TO PARSELL FUNERAL HOMES, LEWES, DE.
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