Cherie A. Fuchs

Cherie Alexander Fuchs (Evans), 74, was born in Chicago, Illinois to Dorothy Ekblad Evans and Howell L. Evans (both deceased).   Suddenly she passed over the great rainbow on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago near her home.   Although she was born in Chicago at the Swedish Covenant Hospital, Cherie grew up in Rockford, IL and went to Rockford West High School, participating in synchronized swimming.

Cherie graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, IL, where she was a member of the Delta Zeta sorority and worked part-time in the library.   During college summer breaks, Cherie worked for Amerock in the factory and after graduation worked in the office.  When she moved to Chicago, she worked for Budget Rent A-Car's headquarters.  She trained employees in new Budget offices on their operating procedures. Cherie rented a two-room apartment at Clark and Fullerton with a fantastic view of Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago.  She went to the United Kingdom and worked at the Budget office at Heathrow airport, living in Windsor and Eton.  Out of her front window, she had an unobstructed view of the Thames River about fifty yards away and looked out her back window and saw Windsor Castle.  When she returned to Chicago, she bought a condo on the northside of the city in a six flat building.  She was treasurer of the condo association for many years and enjoyed the company of the other condo owners.

When Budget closed its headquarters office in Chicago after a merger, Cherie worked as a contract project manager.  She was in great demand and was offered a permanent job many times, but she turned them all down until she was 65 years old when she accepted a job at BMO Harris Bank.  She retired from BMO in 2023.

Cherie loved to travel.  She went to Antigua while she was in college.  During the 1970s, she visited Europe three times; traveled around the United States for Budget.  While she worked for Budget in the U.K., she traveled to continental Europe. In more recent years Cherie has visited Europe annually to meet up with her UK friends and Florida annually to see an old friend.  Cherie enjoyed going to the theater with a group of her friends in Chicago.

She volunteered her time at the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Care for Real.   Cherie provided help and tutored those wanting to obtain citizenship and learn English through her local library.   She regularly donated to the Shriners Children's Hospitals, Red Cross, Salvation Army, PBS WTTW, Smile Train, Night Ministry, Metropolitan Family Services, Toys for Tots, United Nations - Nothing but Nets, Arthritis Foundation, and American Brain Tumor.

Cherie is survived by her two brothers John (Jane) and Chip (Keiko) Evans and nieces and nephews: Eric, Scott (Courtney), Julia (Mitch), Manami, and Yume (Steve).  She is also survived by grand nieces and nephews, Sean, Emily, Peter, Jamie, Charlotte, Hudson, Maeve, and Shae.

Cherie felt like she was a long-time member of the Erb family which welcomed her with open arms.  Her abundant smile, joy, and bountiful friendship will be so missed by many true friends, cousins, and other family members who she very much loved.   Cherie always brought Swedish treats like homemade cardamom breads and rice pudding for Christmas and birthdays.   The little children enjoyed her "Big HUGS."  They especially liked the Christmas poppers from England that has become a tradition for them at holidays.

Services and interment will be private.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Cherie's name to Shriners Children’s Hospital.  A celebration of life is planned for her later this year.