Obituary of Lilyan Marie Henschel
Obituary for Lilyan Marie “Cherie” Henschel
Cherie Henschel (née Dodge), 93, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at LIVIA in East Hanover, New Jersey. Born on July 31, 1931, in Flushing, New York, to James and Theresa Dodge, Cherie grew up in Garden City, New York, where she later met and married the love of her life, John “Jack” Henschel Jr. in 1953.
Cherie and Jack began their life together on Long Island New York before relocating to Sherborn, Massachusetts, in 1969, where they resided until 1983. They then moved to the Atlanta area, where they lived until Jack’s passing in 1994 from Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Following his death, Cherie returned to Sherborn and remained there until 2016, when she moved to Warren, New Jersey, to be closer to her family.
Cherie’s vibrant life was characterized by her devotion to family, her faith, and her ability to find joy and humor in life’s small moments. A devoted member of the Catholic Church, Cherie served as a Eucharistic Minister and was an active volunteer in each of the communities where she lived. She had a particular passion for helping seniors, often driving them to appointments, assisting with forms, and advocating on their behalf. Her unwavering kindness, thoughtfulness, and commitment to treating others as she wished to be treated left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.
Cherie loved spending time with family and friends, whether playing cards, traveling on family vacations to destinations like Florida and the Carolinas; attending Broadway shows with her husband; or accompanying him on business trips to Hawaii, London, Frankfort and Paris. She also cherished her time at the beach, whether on Montauk, Cape Cod, the Jersey Shore, or any sandy coastline where she treasured creating special memories with her loved ones.
Cherie is predeceased by her beloved husband, Jack in 1994, her daughter Nancy in 2014, and her brothers Jim in 1985 and Jay in 1987. She is survived by her devoted children: Jack (Yasmin), Jim (Lois), Peter, and Tim (Michelle). She is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Ali (Jake), Chris (Jackie), Joe (Sarah), Ted (Ania), Jessa (Will), Tyler, and Maya, along with nine great-grandchildren: Abby, Ava, Adriana, Jameson, Hailey, JJ, Oli, Harry, and Frankie. Additionally, she leaves behind her dear sisters-in-law, Dorothea and Edith.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2024, from 10:30 to 11:30 AM at Our Lady of the Mount Chapel, 167 Mount Bethel Road, Warren, New Jersey, followed immediately by a funeral Mass at 11:30 AM. Cremation will be private.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in Cherie’s honor on Saturday,December 14, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. Theresa of Lisieux Church, 35 South Main Street, Sherborn, Massachusetts, immediately followed by her inurnment at Pine Hill Cemetery in Sherborn, Massachusetts. All are welcome.
Cherie will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know her, and her legacy of laughter, kindness and compassion will live on in the hearts of her family and friends who will always recall her love.
In lieu of flowers, the Family invites donations to the ALS Association (Lou Gehrig’s Disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease) at als.org
