Cheri Mazey Memorial Scholarship

Every Little Thing - In Loving Memory of Cheri Mazey

Our Mom, Cheri Mazey, was suddenly taken from us on February 22, 2023. Her sudden passing was due to a massive heart attack, assumedly stress-induced. 

My sister and I, with the love and support of our husbands, family, and friends have reluctantly started our grief journey. In this unpredictable journey, we have adopted-a-spot in downtown Kent, Ohio in her loving memory, to give family, friends, and loved ones a place to visit (link to apparel).

Mom loved to be outside and feel the warmth of the sun. She liked to look at pretty flowers and plants and took pride in keeping her lawn and flower beds in tip-top shape. She loved to hear the birds sing. It was her reminder:

don't worry, about a thing // cause every little thing's gonna be alright. 

On Thanksgiving Day 2022, I decided my health was something I was very thankful for, so I registered for the 2023 Burning River 100 Miler (BR100), my first Ultramarathon, which runs through the scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This has always been a bucket list item for me and my goal was to complete the 100 miles in 24 hours or less. 

Since our Mom’s move to Heaven, my goal for BR100 is no longer limited to a timeline. My new goal is to work on learning to move with - and through - my grief, using my training as a tool in this process.

The adopt-a-spot apparel fundraiser inspired me to continue the fundraising momentum and design apparel to support me and my miles for Mom in the 2023 BR100, and this Go Fund Me campaign is another avenue to support Mom's legacy. 

Education was very important to our Mom. In fact, my sister, Amanda, and our Mom graduated from Kent State University with their Bachelor's degrees on the same day in 2005. Fast forward almost 20 years later, it comes as no surprise to me that I am working at Kent State University and simultaneously pursuing my Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration. Kent State University has been the foundation of building my life, beginning in my early childhood and most crucial developmental years.

When life feels too complicated and you feel the stress creeping in, we hope you will take the time to slow your pace and smell the flowers, find healthy ways to manage your stress, and take care of your heart - both physically and emotionally.

All proceeds from the adopt-a-spot t-shirt fundraiser, the ELCRC apparel fundraiser, and this Go Fund Me will benefit the endowed scholarship that will be started in Cheri's memory through Kent State University.