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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels September 9, 2004 Cheryl Patricia O'Reilly June 17th, 1949 to September 4th, 2004 Cheryl was born to Dave and Gloria Rotbart on June 17th, 1949 in Los Angeles, California and spent her childhood years not far from the sandy beaches of Malibu, the palm trees of Beverly Hills and the movie stars in Hollywood. Cheryl graduated from Venice High School in 1967 and attended Valley State University where she met and married Al O' Reilly in 1974. One of Cheryl's deepest loves was music and during the early 70's, Cheryl got her first big break as an administrative assistant for On Stage Publications which published the concert programs for major rock and roll venues in Los Angeles. By 1975, Cheryl was able to parlay her background as part of the LA "rock scene" to obtain a job as executive administrative assistant to Michael Dilbeck at Columbia Records in the A&R Department responsible for developing and promoting new talent in the music business. During this time, Cheryl received a platinum record to acknowledge her work in support of the rock band Journey and also was involved with such artists as Boz Scaggs, Dave Mason, Kenny Loggins, Neil Diamond, Earth, Wind and Fire and others. Cheryl moved to Medford, Oregon with Al in 1979 and her first daughter, Jessica Paige O'Reilly was born June 22, 1981 followed by her second daughter, Samantha Paulette O'Reilly born on November 7, 1986. It was during this time that Cheryl rediscovered the roots of her Jewish heritage and became an active member of Temple Emek Shalom in Ashland, Oregon. Cheryl was fierce in her love for her two daughters and shared her Jewish faith through her girls in having each study Torah to have Bat Mitzvahs on their 13th birthdays. It was also during this time that Cheryl became active in the Junior Service League of Southern Oregon and donated her time abundantly. Over her 25 years in the Rogue Valley, Cheryl continued to distinguish herself through her work at Rogue Valley Medical Center, Harry and David, Medford Mail Tribune, Regency Blue Cross, FTD and the Real Estate book. In all these endeavors, her warmth and compassion accompanied by unbridled optimism touched lives and won her friends. One of Cheryl's finest moments occurred during the period from November 2003 to July 2004 during which time she served as a devoted daughter and primary at home hospice caretaker for her mother, Gloria, allowing her to pass on in the comfortable, loving surroundings of her home with dignity. Cheryl loved to garden, loved music, attended Britt Festival whenever she could, was a hopelessly devoted mother and was aptly characterized as a "lively woman with a big heart." Cheryl had a passion for Democratic politics, was a friend to others from all walks of life including stray pets (dogs, cats and bunnies) in particular and through her retail therapy, attempted to single-handedly bring Oregon out of its recent recession. It's safe to say that friends and family alike loved her and will miss her! Ironically, after patiently waiting for her mother's passing, it was Cheryl's renewed passion for living that found her hiking the trail to Rainie Falls on the Rogue River the day of her earthly departure. It is hoped that her unexpected, tragic ending will result in good things as those touched through her life continue to live in honor and memory of Cheryl. Cheryl is survived by her father, Dave Rotbart, her brother Richard (wife Laurie and children Dustin, Sean & Kelly) Rotbart of Central Point, Oregon, her daughters Jessica (husband Kelly and son Sameh) of Miami, Florida and Samantha, her cousins Jeffrey (son Ryan and grandson Samuel) Bear and Michael (wife Debra and children Daniel & Brianne) Bear, her ex-husband Al and her half-sister Laura Lake. Funeral services will be held at Temple Emek Shalom, 1800 East Main Street, Ashland on Thursday, September 9, 2004 at 12 noon. A graveside service will follow at 3pm at the Jacksonville Cemetery in the Jewish Section. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Temple Emek Shalom General Fund, PO Box 1197, Ashland, OR 97520 or CATS (Committed Alliance to Strays) P.O. Box 56, Medford, OR 97501. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams