With a generous heart and an ambitious spirit, Cheri Ann Zadra nee Bollenbecker, known affectionately as Howie, took her final bow Dec. 9, 2023. Born Aug. 15, 1961, in Rhinebeck, New York, Cheri’s life was a symphony of compassion, intelligence and determination that left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew her. Her life beautifully exemplifies the words of Albert Pine, “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”
Cheri was a beacon of unwavering support and dedication, reflected in her career as a postmaster for the United States Postal Service. Her remarkable perseverance led her to receive numerous awards for her exceptional service. However, her impressive achievements did not stop at her professional life. Cheri was also an active member of Zen Dog Agility, where she trained dogs for agility shows, a testament to her love for animals. An avid equestrian, she found joy in training horses and leading them to showmanship events, ground driving, and trail obstacles.
Cheri’s love for animals was not the only thing that made her special. She was an ardent collector of Beatrix Potter stuff, a reflection of her unique tastes and interests. Despite her sometimes stubborn nature, Cheri was a selfless soul, always putting others before herself. This was evident in her decision to be an organ donor, a move that allowed her to give the gift of sight posthumously. Living in various cities throughout her life, from Tooele, Utah, and Sandy, Utah, to Palmdale, California, Cheri carried her supportive and caring nature everywhere she went, and it is these qualities that will be remembered most.
Cheri is survived by her husband William Zadra, children Rebecca and Adam Zadra, father Peter Bollenbecker and mother Mary Bollenbecker, brother Peter Bollenbecker, sister Brenda Bollenbecker. She was preceded in death by her sister Nancy Fong.
A viewing will be held Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., at Tate Mortuary, 110 S. Main St., Tooele, Utah, followed by the funeral at 1 p.m. Friends and family are invited to attend to share their memories of Cheri.
For those unable to attend, a livestream will be available on her memorial page.
As we bid farewell to Cheri, we invite all who knew her to share their memories and upload photos to Cheri’s memorial page at my.gather.app/remember/cheri-zadra. In remembering Cheri, we celebrate a life that was so generously shared with us.
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