Cheryl Lynn Abbott

Cheryl Lynn Abbott passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Tuesday, October 25th, just weeks shy of her 79th birthday. Her most recent home was at the memory care center, Village at Valley View, in Ashland, Oregon where she ended her 5-year battle with Primary Progressive Aphasia.

Born on November 19, 1943 in Hayward, CA. Cheryl was the daughter of the late Ory Boudreaux and his wife, Barbara Hawkins Boudreaux. Cheryl has two younger sisters, Nancy and Ellen Boudreaux, both of whom live in the Sacramento, CA area. Cheryl grew up in San Antonio, Texas and returned to California for college, eventually settling in the Bay Area and then Carmel.
Cheryl was a wonderful mother to her daughter Shannon, giving unconditional love and support to her every step of the way. Her husband of 46 years, Allan, was her best friend and forever companion. They enjoyed skiing, playing golf, socializing with friends and traveling throughout their many years together.
Cheryl’s career included positions in marketing, sales, and purchasing with several Silicon Valley businesses. She was also a real estate agent, print model and an owner of her own golf accessories business before retiring from her position as an Administrative Assistant to the Dean in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Cal State University, Monterey Bay.

Cheryl enjoyed many creative hobbies, including sewing, needlepoint, knitting, jewelry making and watercolor painting of her favorite places. She loved everything ballet, took classes for decades, and loved to attend San Jose and San Francisco Ballet performances any chance she could. Cheryl also spent many years involved with the Saratoga Community Center, performing in over 10 musicals. She volunteered regularly within the community for such organizations as the San Jose Civic Ballet, Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, AT&T Pebble Beach ProAm Golf Tournament, and many others.

Cheryl is survived by her husband, Allan of Ashland, daughter, Shannon Tillett of North Carolina, bonus-daughters, Susan Elshire and Kristin Abbott of Ashland, two younger sisters, Nancy (Dan McKeown) and Ellen Boudreaux of Sacramento, nephew, Jason Hunt (Lisa) of Sacramento, and four grandchildren, Cole and Shane Tillett of North Carolina, and Allison and Sarah Elshire of Washington.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating online in memory of Cheryl Lynn Abbott, to the PPA Research & Education Fund at Northwestern Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology: 

https://secure.ard.northwestern.edu/s/1479/282-giving/form-bc.aspx?sid=1479&gid=282&pgid=25569&cid=42757&appealcode=FSMOG&bledit=1&sort=1&dids=108.578.1601.1602.452&utm_campaign=OC22&utm_content=cnadc&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=fsm

Or by mail.  Checks should be made payable to "Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease" and sent to the center at the address listed below. Please designate additional information in the memo field. Contact Jordan Sund for more information on supporting the Mesulam Center.

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Development & Alumni Relations
420 E. Superior St.
Arthur J. Rubloff Building, 9th Floor
Chicago, IL 60611
312-503-2706
jordan.sund@northwestern.edu