Webster – Cheryl Bielik, 66, of Webster, MA died peacefully after a period of declining health on July 3, 2021.
Cheryl was born Seattle, Washington, while her father served in the United States Navy. She returned to Dudley, Massachusetts as a small child where she grew up amidst many loving, aunts, uncles and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents Stephen and Evelyn (Lis) Bielik and her sister Paula Bielik. She was also predeceased by her dear Eldredge “Barney” Yost, whom she shared her life with for 31 years.
Cheryl graduated from Bartlett High School in 1972 and received her Bachelor’s Degree from Annhurst College, in South Woodstock, Connecticut in 1976. She was a fourth-grade school teacher at Charlton Intermediate and taught third-grade at the Heritage School. Cheryl worked part-time as a bartender at The Lodge Restaurant in Webster for many years.
Cheryl ran a tight ship in school and set high standards and boundaries for her students. She was also compassionate and any student who needed a hug would always get one from her. She was famous for giving her students nicknames, and always encouraging their creative writing. She loved doing extra art projects with them and spent about a third of her salary on Jolly Ranchers, but heaven help you if you didn’t keep a neat desk!! Cheryl always got along well with her peers and was a team player in every way, as well as a prankster when fellow teachers needed a good laugh! She was innovative, always willing to share ideas and try new strategies, and she loved Math. Upon her students’ completion of memorizing multiplication tables, she would issue them a “Multiplication Driver’s License”, accompanied by a giant bar of chocolate. Cheryl was proud of her students that were dedicated in her classes. She had the best penmanship in the school and was the person people went to when needing special lettering or calligraphy.
She was a dedicated member of the St. Andrew Bobola Church, and treasured every moment with her mom, who she cared for with her whole heart. Her mom would make her the most beautiful clothes, including a wool cape that would rival Ralph Lauren himself. But their bond was even deeper in that her mom had donated one kidney to Cheryl to ensure her health would not be compromised as a young girl. They lived together on Fourth Street in Dudley until Cheryl left the nest and moved into her beloved and beautiful home on Webster Lake. This home was her pride and joy, and she was often seen cruising the lake on her pontoon boat with her Yorkshire Terrier Max, in his life jacket of course, at her side.
Cheryl could have been a stock broker if her teaching career hadn’t panned out. She followed the ticker tape with a sharpness that even Warren Buffet would admire, and never missed Maria Bartiromo, Joe Kernan and Larry Kudlow on CNBC.
Cheryl was very passionate about traveling and visiting the world. She traveled around the Caribbean, spent much time at her timeshares in Aruba. While in Aruba, she enjoyed the sun, sand, and the casinos! She traveled Europe as well, and particularly enjoyed France and Greece. She also enjoyed going up to Maine with her friends. She enjoyed Foxwoods Casino, where she got the nickname “Lucky Dog” from coworkers and friends envious of her winnings.
Cheryl eventually met Barney, and they built a relationship on the many things they had in common. They loved Aruba, traveling, animals, and lake life. Sadly, Barney’s health declined, and even when she herself was not well, Cheryl gave him the best care she could until he passed away in 2017.
Cheryl loved animals, and throughout the years she had many dogs, her favorite being Yorkshire Terriers. She will be missed by her dogs Benni and Miguel, who were by her side for her last couple years.
She is survived by her sister, Deborah Aversa and her husband Mark of Shrewsbury. She is also survived by her cousins, with whom she was especially close, Stanley and Eileen Bydlinski, Cynthia and Richard Russell, and Jayne Young. She is also survived by her cousin Carol Gogolinski who was her close friend and caregiver over the last several years.
There are no calling hours.
Her Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, July 10th, at 11AM in Saint Andrew Bobola Church, 56 West Main St., Dudley, Massachusetts. (Please meet at the Church)
Kindly omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Massachusetts or the Shriners Hospitals For Children.
The ROBERT J. MILLER FUNERAL HOME and LAKE CHAPEL, 366 School St., Webster is assisting the family with arrangements.
To leave a message of condolence, please visit:RJMillerfunerals.net