Cheri Massa lost her battle with cancer on Thursday, October 11, 2018; she was 55. Cheri was surrounded by her family and loved ones.
In her life, Cheri was committed to loving and supporting both her family and others. This year, Cheri and her husband Todd celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. She was a devoted mother to Libby (Vikas) Sunkari, Hailey Massa and Dominic Massa, along with the many others she helped nurture, noteably Jaden Massa, Jean-Charles Nolet, and of course, her beloved dog Mowgli. Cheri was happy to learn of her first grandson, baby Sunkari, due in January. Cheri is survived by her mother, Sue Rice, and siblings, Donna Catanzaro and Larry Rice. She lost her dad, Larry “Hoot” Rice in 2016. She was also a dear sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and friend to many.
Cheri was a deaf and hard of hearing teacher. She touched the lives of students at Central Institute for the Deaf, Moog Center for Deaf Education, and across the St. Louis region while working for Special School District. Cheri was an advocate for her students and a champion for all people with disabilities.
Cheri was compassionate, loving, and thoughtful. She never stopped learning and trying to become the best version of herself. Cheri loved to garden, color, shop, and spend time with her friends and family. She was an ambassador to her church, the Gathering.
Cheri’s memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on October 19, 2018 at the Gathering (2360 McCausland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63143) and will be followed by a reception. In celebration of the truly joyful way Cheri lived her life, we encourage attendees to wear an accent of yellow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Central Institute for the Deaf, Paraquad, or the Cancer Support Community of Greater St Louis.