Reno native Cheryl Jean Yee, 64, died at her Reno home as a result of a long-term vascular condition. She was born at St. Mary’s Hospital of parents David War Yee and Rita Wong Yee, both of whom predeceased her in 1970. She attended local schools, graduating from Reno High School and the University of Nevada.
An excellent student, she won a Danforth Foundation scholarship and earned a B.S. in Home Economics, graduating with academic honors. Cheryl was very active in the Pi Beta Phi sorority, numerous campus organizations, and student politics. She was elected to the vice presidency of UNR’s Associated Women Students organization, campaigning to end curfews and sign-in requirements applying only to female students.
Cheryl met her future husband, John R. Diehard, at UN in 1968, and they were married in 1980. Both had the travel bug and they began visiting many parts of the United States, and eventually much of Europe, some of the Middle East, Asia, Canada, and Mexico as time and finances permitted.
Cheryl’s teaching career began at Swope Middle School, moving to Reed High School in 1974 as part of the new campus charter facility. She greatly enjoyed teaching cooking, child development, nutrition science, and independent living skills, while encouraging many high school boys to join the traditionally female classes.
Cheryl was active in the community as a charter board member of the local Planned Parenthood Chapter as well as supporting the Committee to Aid Abused Women and the Ann Martin Political Caucus’ efforts to raise the profiles of female political candidates in both major political parties.
After her retirement in 2000, she became interested in art welding, winning prizes in local art contests, then moved into glass fusion, producing many treasures for friends and family. Her additional free time also increased her and John’s travel opportunities. John also retired several years later following diagnosis of her chronic health condition and they began devoting even more time to their travels.
Cheryl had numerous circles of friends that included her gourmet dining groups, a close-knit group from her Reno High School years, book reading clubs, her “Magnificent 7" group of Pi Beta Phi classmates, several exercise, Yoga, and Ti Chi groups and numerous friends made while traveling, with whom she remained close over the years.
She is survived by her husband John, by brothers Bobby (Melissa) and Ronald (Jun) of Las Vegas, many close in-laws from John’s family, several nieces and nephews and many cousins from both her parents’ families residing across the U.S.
At her request, there were no services following her death. In lieu of flowers, she requested that donations be made in her memory to the Committee to Aid Abused Women, 1735 Vassar Street, Reno, NV 89502 and/or Planned Parenthood for No. Nv. Mar Monte, 445 W. Fifth St. Reno 89503 (plannedparenthood.org).
Bruce Templeton
Cheryl Jean Yee
July 2, 1948
October 26, 2012
Reno native Cheryl Jean Yee, 64, died at her Reno home as a result of a long-term vascular condition. She was born at St. Mary’s Hospital of parents David War Yee and Rita Wong Yee, both of whom predeceased her in 1970. She attended local schools, graduating from Reno High School and the University of Nevada.
An excellent student, she won a Danforth Foundation scholarship and earned a B.S. in Home Economics, graduating with academic honors. Cheryl was very active in the Pi Beta Phi sorority, numerous campus organizations, and student politics. She was elected to the vice presidency of UNR’s Associated Women Students organization, campaigning to end curfews and sign-in requirements applying only to female students.
Cheryl met her future husband, John R. Diehard, at UN in 1968, and they were married in 1980. Both had the travel bug and they began visiting many parts of the United States, and eventually much of Europe, some of the Middle East, Asia, Canada, and Mexico as time and finances permitted.
Cheryl’s teaching career began at Swope Middle School, moving to Reed High School in 1974 as part of the new campus charter facility. She greatly enjoyed teaching cooking, child development, nutrition science, and independent living skills, while encouraging many high school boys to join the traditionally female classes.
Cheryl was active in the community as a charter board member of the local Planned Parenthood Chapter as well as supporting the Committee to Aid Abused Women and the Ann Martin Political Caucus’ efforts to raise the profiles of female political candidates in both major political parties.
After her retirement in 2000, she became interested in art welding, winning prizes in local art contests, then moved into glass fusion, producing many treasures for friends and family. Her additional free time also increased her and John’s travel opportunities. John also retired several years later following diagnosis of her chronic health condition and they began devoting even more time to their travels.
Cheryl had numerous circles of friends that included her gourmet dining groups, a close-knit group from her Reno High School years, book reading clubs, her “Magnificent 7" group of Pi Beta Phi classmates, several exercise, Yoga, and Ti Chi groups and numerous friends made while traveling, with whom she remained close over the years.
She is survived by her husband John, by brothers Bobby (Melissa) and Ronald (Jun) of Las Vegas, many close in-laws from John’s family, several nieces and nephews and many cousins from both her parents’ families residing across the U.S.
At her request, there were no services following her death. In lieu of flowers, she requested that donations be made in her memory to the Committee to Aid Abused Women, 1735 Vassar Street, Reno, NV 89502 and/or Planned Parenthood for No. Nv. Mar Monte, 445 W. Fifth St. Reno 89503 (plannedparenthood.org).
- Reno Gazette-Journal, 11/03/2012