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Cheryl Jacobs Shurts
12/28/1937 — 12/15/2023
From Richland, WA | Born in Uniontown, WA
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Cheryl Jacobs Shurts
Cheryl (Jacobs) Shurts passed away December 15, 2023, at home with her daughters after a brief battle with an aggressive cancer. Cheryl was one of the “Jacobs Twins.” She and her sister, Carole, were known as miracle babies, as they were born prematurely at home on December 28, 1937, to Harold and Agnes Jacobs in Uniontown, WA. The twins and younger brother Ray, grew up in Moscow, Idaho, where the family co-owned and operated the Modern Way Market grocery.
Cheryl attended the Ursuline Academy and graduated from Moscow High School. She earned her education degree from the University of Idaho in 1960, and began teaching at St. Mary’s School in Moscow, where she was the first teacher who wasn’t a nun. Cheryl had a heart for kids who struggled and found creative ways to help them and make school fun. She had three daughters with her first husband, Bob Lee. In 1969, she met and married the love of her life, Jim Shurts, and they all moved to Richland. Jim and Cheryl added another daughter to the family and she continued teaching in the Tri-Cities. She retired from Sacajawea Elementary in 1997, finishing her career in the learning assistance program, with students in need of extra help. Jim & Cheryl remained lovingly devoted to each other for 53 years, until Jim’s passing in August 2022, leaving a huge hole in her heart.
Cheryl was a voracious reader, stickler for grammar, quick-witted, and funny. She would always ask what you were reading at the time (really hoping you were reading something) and continued correcting our grammar into her final days. She loved spending time with her daughters, and her twin sister Carole, shopping, visiting, and laughing. Cheryl enjoyed daily walks in her neighborhood, decorating for every holiday, and adding to her angel collection. She loved smiley faces and could find them anywhere. She would give you the shirt off her back if you said you liked it. Most of all, she was so much fun!
Cheryl was proud of her family and loved being Granny. Her grandchildren are blessed to have so many memories of silly Granny. She was also devoted to her Catholic faith and a longtime member of Christ the King Parish in Richland. She found comfort in Mass, the Rosary, and spent multiple hours in prayer each day. We are heartbroken she is gone but take great comfort in knowing she and dad are together again.
She is survived by her daughters, Michelle (Curt) Wittreich, Melinda (Tom) Roulston, Allison (Terry) Bihary, and Jamie (Mike) Harper; 12 grandchildren, Jaret (Erica) Frafjord, Karissa (Chris) Jacobson, Monica Wittreich, Tyler Wittreich, Jacob (Tessa) Roulston, Hayley Roulston, Whitney (Ed) Palladino, Kendra Sherer, Madison Sherer, Noah, Adam & Jack Harper; and 5 great-grandchildren, Lukas and Markus Frafjord, Kjersti and Chloe Jacobson, and Jackson Palladino; and her younger brother, Ray Jacobs, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and longtime friends. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jim, her twin sister and lifelong best friend, Carole Froelich, and her parents, Agnes and Harold Jacobs.
Our family appreciates the peace Msgr. Champoux brought to her with his visits and prayer. Memorial gifts can be made to Christ the King Parish in Richland, the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), or your favorite charity. The family invites you to share your memories in the online guest book at https://www.sunsetgardenstricities.com/obituary/2023/12/cheryl-jacobs-shurts/
A Celebration of Life and Mass of Christian Burial are planned for springtime. In the meantime, read a good book, look for smiley faces in the clouds, and make someone laugh. Mom would like that.
We love you, Mom. Sleep with the Angels.
I taught with Cheryl at Sacajawea and remember her smiling, cheerful face. She was a joy and will be missed.
I am sorry to hear of Cheryl’s death. We were classmates from kindergarten at the Ursuline Academy through graduation at Moscow High School in 1956. The twins were always making everyone laugh. In first grade when the nun was teaching the second graders, Cheryl & Carol would switch desks which really confused the nuns. I’m sure they are making their mark in Heaven as they did in Moscow.
I am so sorry to learn of Cheryl’s death. I was a classmate of hers from kindergarten at Ursuline Academy through high school, graduating in 1956. I always enjoyed being with Cheryl & Carol and their laughter. A great memory was in first grade when the nun was busy teaching the second graders, Cheryl & Carol would switch seats & confuse the nun.
Farwell my friend, Rest In Peace! I will miss our chats and remembering our growing up days. I know Carole was waiting for you when you arrived at the Pearly Gates.
Love,
Jimmy
What a wonderful tribute to Cheryl…and such lovely memories shared by those who have known her!
Peace to Cheryl, her Family, and to All those whose lives she touched.
When Cheryl first became my mother-in-law I immediately knew this was going to be fun! She always made me laugh and she lightened up every family event. I felt like she became a really good friend over the years . The joy I felt when from being in her presence seemed to blow away any stigma that I would have thought applied to the way a man should feel about his mother-in-law. I loved mine!
Cheryl was such a breath of fresh air in a world that more frequently feels like it is falling apart. A conversation with her always healed my soul. Knowing I can’t just pick up the phone and hear her infectious laugh is really hard, and it puts a big lump in the back of my throat and leaves a huge hole in my heart. Michelle, Melinda, Allison, and Jamie, I am so terribly heart broken for your loss. I can only hope that the wonderful memories of your mom and the love of your families will help get you through. For now, you will have to lean on each other to get through and picture the pride your mom has in all of you!
Cheryl and I shared the same grandsons. She was a wonderful Granny! I so enjoyed spending time with her, sharing stories and bragging about our grandsons…..like proud grandmas do. She had the absolute best sense of humor and was so quick witted and just plain fun to be around. We weren’t able to spend a lot of time together due to the proximity of our homes, but I so enjoyed the time we had together and our phone visits. I will miss you, my fellow Granny!
Dear Cheryl-
You will truly be missed by your family, many others, and me. I really enjoyed our discussions especially when we joked about going in the shop for a cold one or a puff (of you know what). I will especially miss your lessons on what license plates spell out when certain letters are used! I know you are happy where you are and I hope that someday I can see you again and we can continue these discussions.’
Love
Walt
I remember Cheryl & Carol in high school. Moscow High School wasn’t a very large school back in the 50’s. Each class had just under 100. The Jacobs twins were very popular and highly respected. Both girls had a great smile. While changing classes when you saw either sister you would feel better after seeing their large smile. Both girls would frequently dress the same and you wouldn’t know which one you were encountering. Both were very popular and looked up to. I have a few pictures of both girls and Ray from high school, I just don’t know how to load them on this sight. Both Cheryl and Carol were beautiful ladies.
In about 1946 I also went to the St. Mary’s School as did the girls.
May Cheryl Rest in Eternal Peace. My prayers are with her and her family.
What I’ll always remember about Cheryl was her joyfulness, her radiant smile. Even the briefest encounter with Cheryl lifted one’s spirits. God love her … and may He bless all those who loved her dearly.
During the years I knew Cheryl, she was the school secretary at Sacajawea Elementary and I was a young Intermediate grade teacher. There was no doubt that Cheryl was the heart of the school, keeping track of all that was happening. She was the person to see for most any question… and she would gladly help. Everyone I knew, counted Cheryl as a friend. I especially remember her wonderful sense of humor… like the year I made the mistake of commenting in the staff lunch room that purple was not a color I liked. Well she, with other teachers, made sure that on my birthday I was FLOODED with PURPLE. My classroom had purple everywhere… bulletin boards, flowers on my desk, and more. Even my running shoes which I kept in my classroom closet, ended up with purple shoelaces. And at the end of the day she made sure that the song “Purple People Eater” was piped into my room over the intercom. I will always remember Cheryl. She will be missed.
Michelle, i am so sorry for you and your families loss😢.
Your mom was one of the moms i recognized because of her beautiful smile 🤗, just like yours❤️.
May your heart hold dear the great memories you have of her 🥰. Sending higs and prayers gor healing my friend ❤️
An awesome lady and a great neighbor. She and my mom are enjoying their walks in heaven. RIP dear Cheryl.
I loved your mom!!!.my mom worked with jim..she was so special!
What I miss most about my Auntie Cheryl is the sound of her and my mom Carole, giggling in the next room.
The relationship Cheryl and Jim shared was unmatched.
The respect, admiration and love she had for her brother Ray, her children and grandchildren was evident to all.
Cheryl made me roar with laughter due to her quick wit. Oh, her one liners!
If she was here she would definitely correct (with live of course) not only my grammar but my punctuation. 🤭
You will be missed by so many and welcomed in heaven by more.
Say hi to Mom, Tom, Uncle Jim, Grandma &Grandpa.
Love you to the moon and back!
~tam~
Loved her teaching at St Mary’s in Moscow where my 5 siblings and I attended! I knew Harold, Agnes , Carole, and Ray ; along with all the Casey’s as we lived just down the street on 1st & Monroe!
Thanks for keeping my Brother Pat updated on Cheryl’s final journey on earth and all the love and time you gave that sweet smiling Lady!
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Cheryl Jacobs Shurts