Carol Cherkasky

Courageous, strong-willed, determined, adventurous and thoroughly dedicated to her family, Carol Cherkasky lived a fulfilling and fascinating life.

Born April 20, 1937 to Samuel and Florence Libglid, Carol grew up with her brother, Alan, in Rochester, N.Y. After attending Cornell University and earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Rochester, she began her lifelong teaching career. Six months after meeting Milton Cherkasky, they were married and celebrated 46 years together living in Rochester, N.Y.; Highland Park, Ill.; Muskegon, Mich.; Farmington Hills, Mich.; Jakarta, Indonesia; Las Cruces, N.M., and traveling the world.

Carol earned her RN degree and began working as a nurse in Detroit area hospitals. After spending her first 50 years in the States, Carol and Milt boldly ventured half-way around the world to Indonesia. Together they lived in Jakarta for 10 years. During this time, they travelled extensively together exploring Asia and Europe. She eventually melded her teaching and nursing careers by developing an internationally accredited health education program for students at Jakarta International School, where she taught for nearly a decade.

Highlights of life in Indonesia included hosting several Passover Seders for hundreds of international guests, including such dignitaries as then U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, and leading annual cultural excursions to Bali for her students. After her retirement from teaching in the late ‘90s, Carol became a travel agent and enjoyed planning vacations for others while she and Milton established The Chocolate Giraffe Candy and Gift Shoppe in Las Cruces, and made frequent shopping trips back to their favorite places including Bali and many European countries.

Following Milt’s death in 2006, Carol lived in Jackson, Miss., for several years; and Fountain Hills. She was an avid and competitive game player and thoroughly enjoyed activities including Mah Jongg, bridge, bingo, word games and book club at Fountain View Village and the local community center.

Carol participated in as much travel as her health permitted, and thoroughly enjoyed outings to tea parties, museums and local baseball games. She spent many hours pursuing her passion, which she discovered later in life, for painting and drawing. Carol had an impressive memory for detail and an engaging, dynamic mind.

Her love for her family surpassed all else. Carol is survived by four children: Leann (Mac) Makhni of San Jose, Calif.; Donna Cherkasky, Todd (Laura Berenger) of Evanston, Ill.; and Karen “KC” Cherkasky of Las Cruces, N.M.; as well as her five grandchildren: Steven Hicks, Meilani and Devin Makhni, Colette and Micah Cherkasky; and nephew Craig Libglid (Dale) and niece Stacy Drelick (Bob). In the company of her family, Carol passed away on Erev Pesach, April 22, 2016, at Chandler Regional Medical Center.

A Celebration of Life and Sharing of Memories will be held on Wednesday, April 27, at 2:30 p.m. at Fountain View Village. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the charity of your choice.