Cheryl Teninga
Cheryl Teninga (1950 – 2022), born to Herman C. and Joan A. Teninga, loving sister to Debbie Butendorf, Beth Collins (Mark), & Paula Slabinak (Leonard), passed away peacefully on June 12, 2022.
Cheryl grew up in Western Springs, attended Lyons Township High School (Class of ’68), and went on to Emory University (Class of ’72). She landed a job in Washington, DC, with the government agency of HUD that spanned 40 years. She had many accolades throughout her career, but was most proud of her Distinguished Service Award.
Cheryl was an avid hiker, sailor, world traveler, & pianist. She could often be seen cruising in her White Porsche (Munchkin). Her travels to Spain, Italy, Trinidad, Tobago, Patagonia, Cabo, and Cruising Route 66, were among her favorites.
To celebrate Cheryl’s life and many, many friends and family around the world, please take a day to: donate to your favorite charity in her honor, have a good molé meal, sing a favorite song, take your favorite road trip, anything that reminds you of Cheryl and how she touched your life.
Visitation 11:30 a.m. until time of Memorial Service, 12:00 p.m., on Saturday, July 23 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. For questions, please call the funeral home at (708) 352-6500
Cheryl and I met on a trip to Patagonia and hit it off as we both somewhat hobbled along the trails (bad hip, bad knee). Although we lived far apart we were able to loosely stay in touch with email and get together with her cousin Ross on some Christmas holidays. We talked about planning a trip to somewhere together but it just never seemed to get off the ground. Now the chance is gone and that is very sad. She was a wonderful short-time friend and I will miss her!
Cheryl and I worked together at HUD and she could only be described as a dedicated, insightful, leader who helped HUD and its public housing clients in many ways. Her activities led to a better life for thousands of deserving low-income families. She was a consummate civil servant who was always cheerful and supportive of her colleagues. She was an unsung hero who will be sorely missed by many people.
Cheryl and I worked together at HUD for a number of years. I always admired and respected her for her high level of knowledge, analytical skills, and her willingness to help with whatever the task or mission was. She was most dependable and always pleasant, knowing exactly what to say while always demonstrating sound emotional intelligence. I never witnessed her frustrated and she never uttered an unkind thing about any of her colleagues. Our lives will not be as full and pleasant without Cheryl; however, our lives are richer for having known her and being able to call her a friend and colleague. Her professionalism, kindness, and character could serve well as a model for many.
Thank you, Delton, for allowing me the training opportunity during which I was able to meet Cheryl.
I was fortunate to work with Cheryl during my early years at HUD. She was a great mentor! She inspired everyone around her to be the kind of civil servant we all strive to be! She will be missed!
Cheryl was a kind and spirited person who would always extend a hand for help or friendship. She worked wonders for the public housing industry as a federal regulator and supporter. This wonderful lady will be sorely missed by many. She is in our prayers.
Could not agree more with the accolades of my HUD collegues that have contributed tributes to Cheryl. She was a model civil servant and a wonderful human being.
Cheryl was a wonderful mentor to me during my years in DC. We are fortunate as HUD employees, to walk in her footsteps as we continue to carry on HUD’s mission. Indeed, our lives and the lives of countless others are richer for having known her and benefitted from her dedication, wisdom and character. Our hearts and prayers are with her family during this time.
Cheryl was an amazing friend. We bonded over arriving in DC on the same day and trying to figure out our way around the area. I only had to mention snorkeling or diving and her bags were packed and in the car. We had fabulous times together and most memories of our trips make me start laughing. When she shared her diagnosis with me, I was devastated but I respected her desire to face ALS in her own way and not to share it with a lot of people. I was lucky that we could facetime, email and text until the final weeks and loved how she stayed sassy till the very end. Her sister Beth kept me updated through phone calls and texts. The love and care that her sisters gave her throughout her battle with ALS is one of the best indications of the kind of family that Cheryl grew up in and the fact that the 4 sisters nurtured their relationship with each other. I shall miss Cheryl but fortunately I have the memories of her first as a friend and then as a co-worker, mentor, boss, but mostly as a truly amazing woman who accomplished most of what she set her sights on.
As a baby Fed, it’s easy to feel like a cog in a massive wheel, like you don’t know what you’re doing and no one will ever know who you are. One of the most invaluable gifts you can get is for a ‘champion’ to find you–to take you under their wing, to build you up, to call you up. Cheryl was all of this and more for me. She was my champion and my cheerleader, she saw potential in me that I didn’t see in myself, she mentored and advised me. After she retired, we were able to develop a close friendship and I got to enjoy time and life with her. She was wise, and thoughtful, and humble, and caring, and I was so lucky to know her.
Rest in power, my dear friend. The world is darker without your light.
I met Cheryl in Naples Fl. and we became best friends quickly. We got together at least once a week for lunch or dinner, and had a FaceTime Happy Hour every day at 5:00 PM, where we mostly would just tell each other about our days. We were in love, and made day trips in Florida. Mote Marine Lab in Sarasota was a favorite of hers. She was my rock and I was hers. We will all miss her very much. Cheryl, rest in peace my dear.
I worked with Cheryl at HUD in Atlanta! Enjoyed all our time together. She was such a bright light to be around!
Cheryl and I worked at HUD in the Real Estate Assessment Center. Always smiling, laughing, full of life, and eager to help in any way. I learned so much from Cheryl as she guided me on policy and the correct way to do various tasks at HUD. Her sincere calm demeanor will be cherished always and my sincere heartfelt condolences to the family. We have lost a great person, Cheryl will truly be missed
Cheryl and I grew up together in our 20’s then again in our 30’s. She would meet me at the Atlanta airport to take a discount flight to wherever we could afford. We danced in the Piazza San Marco. She was adventurous and always committed to her family and friends. She loved and was loved by me and my children and we all are just sad now but richer because of her having been in our lives.
I met Cheryl when we lived on the 5th floor of Harris Hall at Emory U. I liked her immensely from the start, and we shared a lot of fun times. Among my favorite memories is a road trip to her home in Western Springs at the end of our sophomore year. Her family was so kind and welcoming to me, and I was fortunate enough to spend a week with them. I had never been to Chicago, so we took the train into the city and then a hair-raising cab ride. A photographer took our picture downtown as a souvenir, for a small fee. It was disappointing but kind of hilarious when Cheryl received the photo in the mail after we were back at Emory; we opened the envelope to find a picture of two perfect strangers. We lost touch after Cheryl moved to D.C. and I moved to Wisconsin, but happily reconnected, and got to spend time together in 2016 when she visited Durham, where I now reside. We kept in touch after that, and I had hopes that she would move closer to me. She was beautiful person, inside and out. I am so glad that I got to be her friend.
Cheryl was a new friend to me. We lived in the same apartment building in DC for 2 years before she moved to Naples. She was great to walk and talk with — like a long-time friend. I missed her after she moved to Naples and also had hopes of having her visit my other home in Ontario. She had a wonderful wicked sense of humour. Great company. Thoughtful and generous. I feel fortunate to have known Cheryl even though a short time. I have planted a “tall girl tree” on my farm in her memory.
I was fortunate to be close friends with Cheryl for over 40 years. We visited each other regularly and traveled together many times. She was always a thoughtful and wonderful companion during our travels. We talked frequently and shared many, many details of our lives. She was warm and truly accepting of diversity among other people. During our last trip in 2020 we celebrated Cheryl’s 70th birthday after driving over 1400 miles from Atlanta to Denver! I am incredibly saddened by her loss. I will always remember her adventuresome spirit and her ability to say the right thing at the right time.
I worked with Cheryl in the HUD Atlanta Office; we kept in touch once she moved to Washington. She was a warm, caring professional. My prayer is that her family and friends are comforted by the memories of a life well lived. Blessings 🙏🙏🙏❤️
Beth and family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your sister. I lost my sister a few years ago, and I understand your world right now.
Sending you all a very big hug….
I just saw notice of Cheryl’s passing in the Emory Magazine. We met at Emory when I was in grad school and she was a senior and I followed her in an intern ship in 1972. Little silos we know that we would meet a little later as she was at HUD and I was in housing. She was a consummate professional and committed to her work. We had planned to get together when she was going to pass through Atlanta after we were both retired. Unfortunately COVI D happened and we didn’t get together. I will miss her and her friendship.