Cheryl Ann Balli

We lost our beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend Cheryl Ann Balli on Thursday, July 29, 2021.

Cheryl was born on September 28, 1972 in Eugene, Oregon. She attended Medford Schools and graduated from North Medford High School in 1990, where she was active in band and had many friends. She earned an Associates Degree from RCC in Early Childhood Education, and taught Head Start classes in Medford and Ashland.
In 2006 she married the love of her life, Karahan Balli. Cheryl made many trips to Karahan's home country of Turkey where she was embraced and loved by his family. She learned the Turkish language, values and customs, and passed these on to her children. Karahan and Cheryl own a jewelry store in Missoula, Montana, where Cheryl worked as the store manager, and made many friends in the community.
Cheryl's greatest joy was becoming a mother, and she gave birth to twins Olin and Ayla in 2014. She loved making even the smallest event into a party with her children. In 2016 she moved to Medford to be closer to family. She was diagnosed with cancer of an undetermined origin in the fall of 2018. She wrote many facebook posts to keep loved ones aware of her journey, both the angst and the joys of living in gratitude.
Cheryl is survived by her husband, Karahan, her two children Olin and Ayla, her parents Brien and Jan Blankenship, her brother Marcus (Amy) Blankenship, her sister Amanda (Tyke), and many extended family members.
The family would like the thank the hundreds of people who prayed for Cheryl and supported our family through this long journey. Cheryl said prayer is not about getting the answers you want, but about developing a relationship with our loving Lord and having His light within. Her light shines on.
A virtual memorial service will be held on-line on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 11:00 AM. The link will be on her facebook page. In lieu of flowers, give to your favorite charity in Cheryl's memory.