Cheryl C. "Cheri" (Onesi) Johnson's Obituary
Cheryl C. “Cheri” (Onesi) Johnson, 74, of DeWitt, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 23, 2023, at Upstate University Hospital in the presence of her loving husband. Cheri was born and raised in Niagara Falls to the late Sylvester and Estelle Marie (Gaertner) Onesi and was a 1967 graduate of Niagara Falls High School, where she was elected the first female senior class president. Cheri relocated to Syracuse, graduated from Syracuse University, and was an employee of SU for over forty years; she worked in various positions in Advancement and External Affairs after several years in the School of Education. Cheri was a communicant and eucharistic minister for All Saints Church (formerly St. Therese) and served as a member of the Peace and Justice Committee.
Challenges only gave Cheri a greater appreciation for life. Along with her husband, Bob, she enjoyed gardening, traveling, attending concerts and theater shows, and cheering at SU games. Cheri made every occasion or visit with family special. She loved to spend time with her family and friends and her grandchildren were her great joy. Cheri will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her infant sister, Kathleen Marie Onesi, her mother-in-law, Elizabeth Anne Johnson, and brothers-in-law, Paul Johnson, and Art O’Neil.
Cheri is survived by her loving husband of 28 years, Robert F. Johnson; her daughter, Melissa Schmitz
Sutherland; her son, Jeremy (Jane) Schmitz; her stepchildren, Alison Zelesnik and Amy Pederson; her
three grandchildren, Hunter (Jenna Kasza) Sutherland, Emily Sutherland, and Sophia Schmitz; her
siblings, Trish Onesi Bateson, and Robert Onesi; her siblings-in-law, Kolbe O’Neil, Connie (Tim Freisen)
Harris, Kathi (Gary) Kreig, Michael Johnson, Joy (Tom) Miller, David (Maria) Johnson, and Lisa (Paul) Izyk; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will take place on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, from 9:30 – 11:15 A.M. at All Saints Church, 1340
Lancaster Ave. Syracuse, NY 13210 followed by a funeral mass in celebration of Cheri’s life at 11:30 A.M. in the church. Private burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, DeWitt.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to any of the various charities supported by All Saints
Church at allsaintssyracuse.org.
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