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Memorial information for MNA President Cheryl Johnson
Cheryl's Obituary
Messages of Sympathy
Cheryl Johnson, RN Memorial Fund
Thoughts and Remembrances
National and State Comments
Cheryl's Light -- poem by Becky Sue Baldwin, RN, CPAN
Messages of Sympathy
Those wishing to send a note of condolence to Cheryl’s family may do so by addressing a note to Cheryl’s daughter, Nikki Briggs, and mailing it in care of the MNA office. We will hand deliver all notes to Nikki and the rest of the family. Condolences can also be sent to Cheryl's fiance, Mitch Gorkiewicz, at the same address.
Nikki Briggs
% Michigan Nurses Association
2310 Jolly Oak Road
Okemos, MI 48864
Cheryl Johnson, RN Memorial Fund
The Cheryl Johnson, RN Memorial Fund has been established for Cheryl’s family. Checks should be made out to the Cheryl Johnson, RN Memorial Fund. You may contribute by sending financial contributions to:
Cheryl Johnson, RN Memorial Fund
% Michigan Nurses Association
2310 Jolly Oak Road
Okemos, MI 48864
Contributions can also be made to the fund at Capitol National Bank, 4792 Marsh Road, Okemos, MI 48864.
Thoughts and Remembrances
We are collecting stories, memories, quotes, photos and “Cheryl-isms” for use in the memorial service. Contributions can be sent to nurseline@minurses.org. We will most likely not be able to use everything that is submitted in the memorial service, but we appreciate everything that is sent in.
National and State Comments
From national associations and unions to the media, Cheryl is receiving a great deal of attention. Some of the examples are posted below and will be added to as more information is collected.
United American Nurses
Michigan Nurses Association
AFL-CIO Blog
Detroit News
Detroit Free Press
Crain's Detroit
SEIU statement
SEIU video
Worker's Independent News
Ann Arbor News
Miscellaneous news articles
In memory of Cheryl Johnson
Cheryl’s Light
by Becky Sue Baldwin, RN, CPAN
October 29, 2007
Cheryl, that one little word carries the power,
It is hard to deal with at this hour.
Our mother, our leader, our nurse, our friend,
It is hard to believe her life has come to an end.
She would not want us to sit around and be sad,
In fact, that would probably make her *&#$%@ mad.
She would want us to keep up the fight,
To make sure nurses have the right.
To provide safe patient care,
No matter where.
She is up in heaven right next to God,
Now some of you may think that is odd.
But you must remember what Cheryl would do,
If she thought a doctor would intimidate you.
She would have them go sit in her special chair,
She would send them there without a care.
The rights of others as well as her own,
Was one of the places where Cheryl’s light shown.
When she spoke of Nikki, her grandson, and Mitch,
She would always smile and her voice would change pitch.
Cheryl was a great nurse her colleagues would say,
And hoped to see her at work just one more day.
But at last God decided he needed her more,
But has he really found out what she has in store?
She may be sitting at God’s right hand,
But I have a feeling he will soon learn her plan.
We must carry on her light you see,
Not I, not You, but Us, yes, We!
Cheryl’s light will shine through all of us,
Even if you weren’t always on her bus.
So now it’s our turn to continue the fight,
To make sure that Cheryl always has a light.
Keeping her memory dear to your heart,
Is always a good place to start.
For us to go forward and fight for the right,
Will always keep Cheryl’s life in the light.
So don’t go away sad or mad this day,
As Cheryl would not want it that way.
Go forward! Stand strong! And fight for the right,
Remember to keep Cheryl’s life in the light.
Becky Baldwin, RN, CPAN, is a registered nurse at Borgess Health in Kalamazoo and the Michigan Nurses Association Treasurer.
11/14/07
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