With sadness we share the news of the death of Cheryl “Cheri” Yacono, 68, on May 25, 2023.
Cheri served for two decades as a Deputy to Diocesan Convention representing St. James’, Ridgefield. She also served on Hillsdale Senior Manor Board, Class of 2023, and had been re-elected to the class of 2026.
Visitation will be Friday, June 2, 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Blackley Funeral Home, 809 Broad Ave. in Ridgefield. The funeral service will be Saturday, June 3 at 9:30 AM at St. James’, Ridgefield, followed by burial at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus.
In lieu of flowers, Cheri, who loved animals, wanted donations to be made to the ASPCA.
Condolences may be sent to her husband, Gary Yacono, at 278 W. Passaic St., Rochelle Park, NJ 07662.
Gary shares this obituary, which he wrote:
Cheryl “Cheri” Yacono, 68, beloved wife of Gary Yacono and a member of St. James’ Episcopal Church died on May 25th after a 3-year battle with cancer. She was very involved at St. James’ Church in Ridgefield, NJ for 30 years and held positions of a Vestry member, Treasurer, Choir member, Fundraising, Usher, Search Committee and whatever else she was needed to do. Cheri attended the Diocese of Newark Conventions representing St. James’ Church for approximately 20+ years as a Deputy. She has numerous friends and family who all say when she went into a room with her smile she lit up the room. She LOVED her NY Yankees and would attend games as often as she could with her husband. They loved cruising and visiting World Disney World. They had their honeymoon at Walt Disney World in 1981.
Someone wrote the following, “Cheri always has been a happy, bright, loving, kind, understanding, patient, hard-working and one of the best Christians that I ever met in my life and one of the brightest stars at St. James’ Church.” That sums up Cheri nicely. Cheri was one of the best wives and best in-laws that came with her according to her husband Gary.
She is predeceased by her parents Stanley “Stan” and Yvonne “Mickey” Johnstone and her younger brother Steve Johnstone. She leaves behind Gary, her loving husband and many cousins and dear friends who will deeply miss her. Cheri and Gary were sweethearts at William Paterson College in Wayne, NJ. They met at WPSC college radio and were married 41 years ago at St. Martins Episcopal Church in Maywood, NJ.
Cheri was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and held positions there at the River Edge location years ago. She was a volunteer at the Bergen County Animal Shelter for a period of time as well loving her animals. Cheri also loved going to see her favorite local bands with her girlfriends. Cheri’s jobs consisted of a customer service representative for a hospital and numerous other companies before she retired.
Her pain is over, she fought the good fight and now may rest with her relatives who preceded her into God’s Kingdom.
God, our Father, we thank you that you have made each of us in your own image, and given us gifts and talents with which to serve you. We thank you for Cheri, the time we shared with her, the good we saw in her, the love we received from her. Now give us strength and courage, to leave her in your care, confident in your promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
