Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Great-grandmother, Cheryl Ann Schaefer, 74, passed away on May 31, 2019 at Lakeland Regional Hospital in Lakeland, Florida. The daughter of the late Esther and Earl Simmons of Chatham, NY, she graduated in 1964 from Chatham High School, later attending Mohawk Valley Community College.
The last two decades of her professional life entailed extensive work with sexual assault survivors and advocating for crime victims.  This included one-on-one counseling, court appearances, obtaining federal funding and assisting in the implementation of many social justice programs.  Over the years Cheryl received numerous awards from the Department of Justice and The F.B.I. for her work as a driving force in the creation of the Capital District Anti-Stalking Task Force, one of the nation's leading expert forces on the crime of stalking, as well as co-authoring some of the first New York State Anti-Stalking Legislation.  Crime victim advocacy was dear to her heart and over her long life and many accomplishments she felt this was the most important work she did.
Cheryl lived the past 15 years retired in Lakeland, Florida. Cheryl is survived by her husband Lloyd Schaefer, her 6 children; Susan Poole, Lynda Sardo, Warren Schaefer, TJ Schaefer, Robert Schaefer and Jessica Watrous, and her 13 grandchildren; Leanne, Aaron, Joshua, Sarah, RJ, Emily, Matt, Joseph, Victoria, Haley, Ashley, Andrew, Robert and Lilyan, as well as 7 great grandchildren.  She will also be deeply missed by her sister Beth Dollard and best friend Shirley Hughes
Calling hours for family and friends will be held at Wenk Funeral Home in Chatham, NY on June 14,  from 6-8pm  funeral services will be held at Wenk Funeral Home Saturday, June 15,  at 10am, Interment will be  in the Ghent Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to your local animal shelter. For on-line condolences visit wenkfuneralhome.com