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Cherie passed away October 8, 2021 at her home with family by her side, in Olympia, Washington. She was born December 7, 1929 in Maramec, Oklahoma to Carl Raymond Cather and Irene Ethel (Johnston) Cather.

Our mothers shape us in ways we don’t always recognize. They are all special. But Cherie was an exceptional woman and mother. She overcame a difficult and sometimes disappointing childhood. She learned that hard work and sacrifice are often required to meet your goals. So she set about making sure that her efforts would benefit those around her.  Cherie was devoted to her family, friends, and religious community. She absolutely loved to be with people. She always had a cheerful disposition, and a smile that could light up the room.

She and her great grandchildren called each other “GG” and spent time with her playing games or cards, with her often besting them in a spirited game of Uno.

The GG’s mother and her sisters called her “Dancing Grandma” since she taught them to tap dance. She taught hundreds of children and adults over the years, sharing the special joy that dancing brings. Her school of dance started out small, in basements of friend’s homes and grange halls, eventually she had her own studio, the first tap dance studio in Thurston County.

We all remember seeing Cherie in her sewing room. She enjoyed creating garments, whether sewing clothing for her family or creating finely detailed costumes for Ballet companies or her tap students recitals. She put love and dedication into each and every item she produced. It was the activity that she missed the most as her eyesight failed. Everyone she loved received something she made just for them.

She was always looking for little things she could do to help others and spent much of her time after retirement volunteering where she could make a difference. She will be deeply missed by the many people whose lives she improved over the years.

Cherie was preceded in death by her loving husband of 37 years, Clayton Schmidt, her brother Vernon Cather of Fairfax, OK, and sister Rosemary Gates of Enid, OK. 

She is survived by Gerald Schmidt and Melodi Cottingim – Olympia, WA, Douglas and Carol Schmidt – Olympia, WA, Cynthia Schmidt and Alan Coombs - Hoodsport, WA, Gregory and Kristin Schmidt, Phoenix, AZ, Jeffery Schmidt, Phoenix, AZ, David and Karen Schmidt – Roy, WA, Paul and Michelle Schmidt – Olympia, WA; 11 Grandchildren: Corrine, Amber, Brandy, Briony, David, Brandon, Heather, Dineen, Neil, Joshua, and Michael; 3 Great-Grandchilren: Drew, Devon, and Eli; her siblings Georgia Prines – Los Angeles, CA, Winnie Derruisseaux – Pawnee, OK, Carlene Cravens – Ralston, OK, and Carolyn Sue Cather – West Memphis, AR. 

In lieu of flowers, people can make donations to Sacred Heart Catholic Church 812 Bowker Street SE Lacey WA 98503 or Thurston County Food Bank 220 Thurston Avenue NE Olympia WA 98501.