Cheryl C. Woods, accomplished, award-winning writer

Cheryl C. Woods, 78, of Greensburg, Pa., and Lewes, died Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. She was born in Misericordia Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 10, 1946, to Frances and Carl Slodownick. Carl, who managed Knight's Life Insurance (American General) offices, moved them to Harrisburg, Pa., then Uniontown, Pa., where Cheryl attended Saint John High School.

Cheryl completed an undergraduate degree from Duquesne University and holds an M.S. in journalism from West Virginia University and an M.F.A. in writing popular fiction from Seton Hill University. She lived in the Buffalo, N.Y. area and Cincinnati, Ohio, before settling in Greensburg, Pa., where she raised her wonderful daughter, Lydia, with her brilliant husband, Phil, whom we lost 25 years ago this July. 

Cheryl loved to bake, cook, write, sew, and craft, excelling at all. She liked to host and entertain, which always included lots of laughter and her impeccable wit. Cheryl was a phenomenal decorator and a fashionista, to say the least. 

She was an accomplished and award-winning writer for government proposals, Westinghouse, and many other publications and newspapers. Her recent murder mystery novels and collection of YA spooky stories will be published posthumously. 

Cheryl fought as hard as she could but couldn’t fight anymore. She is survived by her daughter, Lydia; and many cousins in Erie, Pa. 

Cheryl left us with the following sentiments: To my exceptional daughter, the most loving, caring person; no one else could have done what you did. To all my dear friends and neighbors: thank you for your love and support. She hopes you will have a margarita (with some chips, salsa, and queso, of course) and cheers to her memory while listening to some good tunes. 

Cheryl will be deeply missed and forever loved.

A celebration of life will be held around Cheryl's birthday this fall in Pittsburgh, Pa.  A smaller gathering will be held in Lewes at the end of the year. Contact Lydia Woods via Facebook if you’d like to attend either. 

Final care for Cheryl has been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

Visit Cheryl’s Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.

To plant a tree in her memory, visit the Sympathy Store.