Cheryl Jean Fox

Cheryl, known to all as Cherie, was born on August 26, 1944 to Frederick King and Elaine (Wright) King in Providence, Rhode Island. Growing up in Merrick on Long Island, Cherie graduated from Sanford H. Calhoun High School in 1962. She went on to study at Bucknell University, soon afterwards transferring to Tufts University to be close to high school sweetheart and love of her life, Stephen Roger Freilich.

After graduating with a degree in Psychology and Education in 1966, she started her first job as a 3rd grade teacher, kickstarting a career in education that led her to work at Ethicon (Johnson and Johnson) and finally to Mars Incorporated, where she worked until retirement.

Cherie met Steve Freilich in their pre-teen years, and married in 1967. Together they had two sons, Brett and Keith, whom they raised in New Jersey. While their marriage did not last, their care for each other never waned. She remarried in 1978, leading her to change her family name to Fox at that time.

After retiring from corporate life, Cherie could not contain her curiosity and energy, and continued on to three entirely new careers. First, she worked as a management consultant at her own firm, Fox Associates. Then upon moving to Georgia, she started an exotic bird breeding business called Foxfeather Farm, dedicated to lovingly raising parrots to be adopted as pets. Her immense care for animals then led her to study at Gwinnett Technical College to become a veterinary technician, a role she undertook until her illnesses made it no longer possible.

Cherie was also an active member of the First Baptist Church of Gainesville, GA, where she sang enthusiastically in the Sanctuary Choir.

Cherie was predeceased by her brother William Frederick King. She is survived by her sons Keith Brendan Freilich and Christopher Brett Freilich, granddaughter Emilia Mae Freilich, cat Rascal, African Grey parrot KC, and Moluccan Cockatoo Cameo.

Cherie was a woman of strength, warmth, curiosity, intellect, and love. In December of 1994, she penned a personal mission statement. Reading its first line now, nearly 30 years later, it is clear that she took her mission to heart: “I am a consistent source of unconditional love for my family and friends and have a positive impact on the lives of those around me.” Nailed it, Mom.