After seven years of waiting, hoping, and dreaming, Cheryl arrived and changed our lives forever. From the very beginning, she was a joy — a bright, curious, wonderful baby who seemed to carry her own sunshine wherever she went.
As she grew, her personality blossomed. Cheryl loved music, dancing, and baton twirling. She joined the Brownies and later became a Girl Guide, embracing every opportunity to learn, explore, and contribute. Even then, she had a spark — a mix of creativity, discipline, and determination that hinted at the remarkable woman she would become.
One day, during her final year of elementary school, we received a call from the principal asking us to come to his office. We arrived with the usual parental worries, only to be met with news that left us speechless. He told us Cheryl was the top student in the entire school — and that she needed more challenge than the regular program could offer. She was invited to join Richmond School’s incentive program, a place designed for students who thrived on advanced learning. Cheryl didn’t just manage; she excelled. She was always on the honour roll, always pushing herself, always rising to the occasion.
After high school, Cheryl enrolled at BCIT and earned her accounting degree. Then, with her characteristic drive, she went back for another year to complete an advanced accounting credential. She didn’t stop there — she registered for university and earned her Bachelor’s degree, all while working through high school, BCIT, and university. Her work ethic was unwavering.
Cheryl applied to the Canada Revenue Agency and was hired. Over the next 27 years, she built a career defined by dedication, professionalism, and integrity. And now, after nearly three decades of service, she has been offered early retirement — a milestone she has earned in every possible way.
Thanks to the financial investment skills she learned at BCIT, Cheryl is able to retire comfortably and confidently. She retires in a month and that marks not an ending, but a new beginning. She plans on volunteering and travelling.
Dad and I are so proud of everything she has achieved — every step, every challenge, every success. Cheryl has lived her life with purpose, resilience, and heart. As she steps into retirement, we wish her joy, rest, adventure, and all the beautiful things she has worked so hard for.
What a journey. What a daughter. What a legacy.
