Cheryl A. Barrett

Cheryl Horton Barrett, 69, of Elmira, passed away peacefully on October 6th, following a courageous battle with cancer. Born on July 21, 1957, in Kenmore, NY, Cheryl was the daughter of LeVere and Norma (Dierken) Horton. She graduated from Kenmore West Senior High School in 1975. After graduation, she moved to Towanda, PA, in search of her next adventure.

It was in Towanda that she met the love of her life, Robert "Bob" Barrett, at a country party. When Cheryl found herself in need of a ride home, Bob came to her rescue. He soon asked her to a movie, and the rest, as they say, is history. Cheryl and Bob were married on September 6, 1980, and shared 46 wonderful years of marriage filled with love, laughter, and gratitude.

After settling in Elmira in 1980, Cheryl began her career with Aetna. Intelligent, determined, and endlessly curious, she pursued higher education while working full time and raising a family, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Empire State College, State University of New York, in 2000. Cheryl went on to enjoy a rewarding career with Aetna and later Travelers Insurance. She genuinely enjoyed helping people and was a gifted problem solver, qualities that served her well throughout her professional life. Along the way, she formed meaningful relationships with colleagues that grew into lifelong friendships. Her work also afforded her the opportunity to travel extensively, including several memorable trips to India, a country that held a special place in her heart.

While Cheryl was proud of her professional accomplishments, her greatest joy was her family. Together, she and Bob raised their two children, Jodi and Bobby, along with four poorly-behaved, but very handsome golden retrievers. Cheryl embraced motherhood wholeheartedly. She was always present, never missing a soccer game, basketball tournament, or important milestone in her children's lives. The only role Cheryl may have loved more than being a mother was being a grandma. Eva Grace was the apple of her eye.

Cheryl was happiest when surrounded by family and friends. The Barrett home was always open to Jodi's and Bobby's friends, many of whom spent countless summer afternoons gathered around the family pool. She had a remarkable gift for making everyone feel welcome. An avid gardener with a true green thumb, Cheryl found great happiness tending her flowers and vegetables, a passion she inherited from her father. She also cherished family vacations to Dewey Beach, where many treasured memories were made. Cheryl saw beauty in the world and loved capturing it through photography. Rarely without a camera in hand, she documented life's special moments and thoughtfully transformed her photographs into memory books and calendars, heartfelt gifts that her loved ones will treasure for years to come.

Cheryl was predeceased by her father, LeVere Horton; her sister, Donna Jean Horton; her parents-in-law, Robert and Shirley Barrett; and her brother-in-law, Lyle Williams. She is survived by her devoted husband, Bob Barrett of Elmira, NY; her children, Jodi Barrett of Washington, D.C., and Bobby (Samantha) Barrett of Swampscott, MA; and her beloved granddaughter, Eva Grace Barrett. She is also survived by her mother, Norma Horton of Kenmore, NY; her sister, Linda Horton of Lancaster, NY; her sisters-in-law, Christine (John) Sullivan of Towanda, PA, andLynda Williams of Elmira, NY; her brothers-in-law, Michael Barrett of Marion, IN, and Paul Barrett of Elmira, NY; and seven cherished nieces and nephews: JB (Colleen) Sullivan, Erin Sullivan (Patrick McCabe), Jeffrey (Angie) Williams, Carling (Waseam) Dannaoui, Hunter Barrett, Tamara Barrett, and Kelli (Andy) Holloway.

Family and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation at McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, on Thursday, October 15, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary's Church, 224 Franklin Street, Elmira, on Friday, October 16, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Chemung County Humane Society & SPCA, 2435 State Route 352, Elmira, NY 14903, or to a charity of one's choice in Cheryl's memory.