Cherylee Cheryl Simpson-Boatman

Cherylee (Cheryl) Simpson-Boatman, age 50, of Arlington, Washington, died peacefully at her home on Wednesday, Feb. 14, after a long 16-year struggle with cancer.

Cheryl’s grit and transparency in how she faced cancer was an inspiration to all who knew her. Her genuine positivity and never-give-up attitude made her a true warrior.

Cheryl was born in Pullman, daughter of Robert and Keoka (Little) Simpson II on July 8, 1967, and grew up in the Reardan/Edwall/Spokane area, graduating from Mead High School in 1985.

She went on to Washington State University, finishing her degree in 3.5 years. While attending college she met Alan Boatman and they married in Spokane in 1991.

They made their home in Ritzville in the 1990’s, where she worked for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. She was active in the community, serving on the Park and Rec Board trying to keep that old Ritzville pool afloat.

Though she had moved away, she took joy in having been a part of the initial planning for the current water park.

With their young family, Cheryl and Al moved to Arlington in 1999 when Alan became an assistant principal at Arlington High School. Cheryl’s cancer journey began in 2001 and forever altered her life-course.　

She worked for Evergreen Manor, The Center in Stanwood, and the Stillaguamish Tribe in their behavioral health program. Cheryl’s cancer fight may have kept her from realizing her dream of having her own private counseling practice, but she was a counselor and a friend to so many.

In Arlington, she was active with Friends of the Library and Dollars for Scholars. She taught Grief Share and other classes and actively participated in Bible studies with friends at both Arlington Free Methodist and Christ the King Community Churches.　

Cherylee was preceded in death by both her parents, Bob and Keoka Simpson; mother-in-law, Karin Boatman; sister, Michele Howes; niece, Keoka Howes; grandparents, Robert and Alvina Simpson and Walt and Marie Loftis.

Cheryl is survived by her devoted husband, Alan Boatman; son, Bradley of Spokane; daughter Sarah at the family home; brother, BJ Simpson of Marysville; father-in-law, Hack Boatman of Kettle Falls; sister-in-law, Jenelle Anderson (Carl) of Colville; brothers-in-law, Kory Boatman of Kettle Falls, Casey Boatman (Adam) of Renton, and Kent Howes of Lamont; uncles, Steve Simpson (Susan) of Spokane Valley and Mike Little of Newport; aunts, Colleen Schmidt (Mike) of Medical Lake, Mary Moonen (Tony) of Cathlamet, Tracy Benzel (Tom) of Airway Heights, Naomi Masuda (Larry) of Post Falls, ID, Jean Roberts (Tom) of Columbia, South Carolina and Isla Durheim (Larry) of Nine Mile Falls; nieces, Angela Howes of Cheney and Amanda Howes of Lamont; nephews, Henry Anderson (Quinnel) of London, Ontario, Canada, Austin Anderson (Michelle) of Moscow, Idaho, Daniel Anderson (Katrina) of Moscow, Jesse Anderson of Spokane, David Anderson of Colville and Gus Anderson of Colville, and at least 19 cousins.

A celebration of Cheryl’s life is scheduled at 9 a.m., on Saturday, March 24, at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center, Arlington High School, 18821 Crown Ridge Blvd., Arlington, WA 98223.

Donations in Cheryl’s name may be made to Arlington Dollars for Scholars or Friends of the Arlington Library.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel of Anacortes. To share a memory of Cheryl, sign the online guest register at http://www.evanschapel.com.