Cherie Rider (Tolson) Winters
November 20, 1943 – March 22, 2020
Cherie Rider (Tolson) Winters
November 20, 1943 – March 22, 2020
Cherie Rider (Tolson) Winters, Age 76, died peacefully at home in Bedford, NS, on March 22, 2020. The world lost a good friend who was a vibrant spark, a strong woman, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, explorer, teacher and friend to all. Cherie had a profound love of people and after meeting strangers, could tell you their life stories. She made friends everywhere she traveled with her limitless sense of wonder, adventure and great joy for life. Her warm loving heart and beaming smile will be missed.
Cherie’s death followed a ten-year period of managing triple-negative breast cancer deploying innovative research in both conventional and alternative medical approaches for managing cancer that had been metastasized for more than six years. She shared knowledge that she gained through her research and personal case study and hoped that it could be used to benefit the greater community. An active community volunteer, Cherie was a catalyst and a founding member at the formation of the Fort Sackville Foundation and continued to work with a group of volunteers to promote, operate and oversee community and heritage programs at the historic Scott Manor House (a registered Provincial and Municipal Heritage property built about 1770 by Colonel Joseph Scott adjacent to the former Fort Sackville, an outpost protecting Halifax). Cherie was a member of other historical societies (the former Bedford Heritage '80, Heritage Trust of Nova Scotia, Rockingham Heritage Society, Hammonds Plains Historical Society and Hantsport & Area Historical Society) and has made public presentations speaking in support of the preservation of heritage properties. When her sons were young and growing, the volunteer work went along with them and Cherie volunteered in School Libraries, taught Sunday School and helped in the Boy Scout Movement. As a former school teacher, she volunteered to assist children in
school when special resources were not available to them. Also, she formed a committee to speak publicly and to actively petition the Halifax County School Board to retain the existing Music and Physical Education programs for the lower grades (Because of funding problems, it had been suggested that these programs be reduced or cancelled in the lower grades). Other community activities included collecting for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, being an organizer at the formation of the Ecology Action Centre, serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, serving as a member of the executive of the Bedford Basin Yacht Club, and helping with the Girl Guide Movement. History and continuity were important to Cherie and she enjoyed reporting that like her ancestors, she had cofounded and operated a small business in Bedford, NS, for 22 years. As a dynamic modern woman and a graduate of the University of King's College and Mount Saint Vincent University, Cherie enjoyed varied careers in business, as well as, being an elementary school teacher in Lower Sackville.
Cherie is survived by her husband Gary, sons John Ezra (Sandra) and Tolson, grand children Eric, Hannah and Andrew, brother John Tolson (Lynne), sister-in-law Judy Tolson and brother-in-law Robert Calder.
Cherie is predeceased by her parents, Richard F. R. Tolson and Elsie Margret (Churchill) and sisters, Elizabeth (James) Snell and Guen Calder.
Anyone desiring to make a donation to honour the life of Cherie Rider (Tolson) Winters, it is her wish to be directed to the Fort Sackville Foundation registered charity, 15 Fort Sackville Road, Bedford, NS, B4A 2G6 towards programs and/or upkeep of this municipally and provincially designated historic Manor House in which she grew up. Donations can also be made through the website: scottmanor.ca/donate/
A service will be held at a later date when circumstances permit.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Cherie Rider Tolson Winters November 20 1943 March 22 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Halifax, Province: Nova Scotia