Cheryl Margaret Nicodemus

Cheryl Margaret Nicodemus, 53, of Seattle, Washington, passed away on August 4, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones, at Virginia Mason Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer. She faced her illness with remarkable strength and grace. Her warmth, kindness, and unwavering love touched everyone around her, leaving a lasting mark on all who knew her.

Born on November 20, 1971, in Wadsworth, Ohio, Cheryl graduated from Cloverleaf High School in 1990 and later attended The Ohio State University. In time, she moved to Seattle to forge a new path and find her place in the world—a place that soon became home.

Cheryl was a true lover of life and adventure. She found joy in traveling and cherished the beauty in life’s simplest moments. She loved fiercely, and for those fortunate enough to be in her circle, life was forever changed by her presence. With her zest for life, her boundless kindness, and her gift for seeing beauty in even the unlikeliest of places, Cheryl had a rare ability to light up every room she entered.

Like one of her favorite songs by The Smiths, “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out,” Cheryl’s light continues to shine in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Cheryl is survived by her beloved daughter, Clara Herrera of Seattle; her partner, Daniel Dalton of Seattle; her sister, Christine Nicodemus Shearer (Scott) of New Wilmington, PA; her nieces, Madeline and Ava Shearer; and her mother, Catherine Kauf of Akron, Ohio.

She was preceded in death by her father, Dale Nicodemus of Medina, OH; her maternal grandparents, Birney and Catherine Kindig of Seville, OH; and her paternal grandparents, Farlin and Rosella Nicodemus of Wadsworth, OH.

Her legacy of love, laughter, and light will remain with us always.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Friends and loved ones are encouraged to honor Cheryl’s memory in their own way—by embracing life fully, sharing kindness freely, and finding beauty in the world around them, just as she did.