It is with immense sadness and completely broken hearts that the family of Cheryl Goodacre Lauria announces that Cheryl finished her last dance with endometrial cancer on February 5^th, 2022, in Newport News, Virginia. It is with greater joy that we can confidently state at this very moment, Cheryl is with Jesus Christ, her body is fully healed, and she is dancing in worship. Cheryl was a private person so to honor her wishes the family is having friends and family share in a funeral ceremony followed by a celebration of life gathering.

Cheryl was born October 7^th, 1955 in Charleston, South Carolina to Russell F. Goodacre Jr. and JoAnn Marshall Goodacre.  Both parents were in the military and instilled in Cheryl a joy of traveling and learning new things.

Cheryl’s greatest treasure was her family. She was blessed to have her devoted husband, Roccie L Lauria IV, share in raising their wonderful sons Rocco and Robert. When the boys were grown, Cheryl felt doubly thankful that Rocco found Jennifer Folsom and Robert found Kimberly Nehrbass to start their own families. She delighted in her grandchildren, Katelynn and Roccie VI, and she savored spending Friday evening and Saturday morning adventures with them. Cheryl was fond of her grand fur babies Bella, Sophie, Fiona, Oliver, Leeloo and Ole.

In addition to her immediate family Cheryl is survived by sister Gail Dreher (Alan), brother Russell Goodacre (Jean), John Goodacre (Cyndi), James Goodacre, and Robert Goodacre (Maureen). Her family by marriage Anneliese Potter (Ed), Francis Lauria (Jodi), Larry Lauria’s wife Trish, Laurette Brown (Randy) and a multitude of nieces and nephews.

Cheryl and Roccie’s lives included traveling to all 7 continents. They enjoyed participating in local customs including dancing folk dances with local people, and eating native food in local style. In the Amazon, they sat on the ground eating off banana leaves. In the Sahara, they danced around the campfire with Bedouins. Cheryl drank yak butter tea in Tibet and assisted Tanzanian women repairing walls with cow dung. Most of all, Cheryl loved listening to others tell their stories.

During her time in Afghanistan, Cheryl ranted against God. She couldn’t understand why she was alone in a hot, dusty, desert war zone when all she wanted was to be with Roccie. Fortunately, Cheryl had the opportunity to study deeply about faith and attend daily mass. One priest who presided, a Canadian/Ukrainian, gave deep spiritual homilies and weekly meditation assignments. Another priest was from the Netherlands and gave 3 sentence homilies. The last sentence was always “God loves you”. The repetition of “God loves you” allowed Cheryl to open her heart and accept God’s plan for her even if it meant being separated from family and friends. Once Cheryl let God know he was in control wonderful things happened including being reunited with Roccie in Iraq.

Cheryl would like to leave you with these thoughts. Love and trust in God (or whatever name you know the Creator) and love your neighbors as yourself. Cheryl’s acceptance of God’s plan allowed her to dance with cancer twice and survive. The third encounter with cancer helped Cheryl to focus on living fully each day and letting loved ones know they are loved and cherished. Cheryl felt loved and blessed, and she hopes you realize “God loves you”.  Written by Cheryl G Lauria 07-04-2021

A celebration of Life Mass will be held on Thursday February 24, 2022, at St. Jerome Catholic Church, Newport News, VA at 5:00 PM, The family will receive friends following the Mass.  Cheryl’s interment will take place on February 25th, Noon at the Albert G. Horton Vet. Cemetery, Suffolk, VA.

In lieu of flowers, if desired, Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jerome Catholic Church, ’Sanctuary Renovation Fund’.