Lorraine (Lorrie Gogol) Cheroki – WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, FORMERLY OF MONESSEN
Lorraine (Lorrie Gogol) Cheroki, 79, of Washington Township, Belle Vernon, formerly of Monessen, died Thursday evening, June 9, 2022, in her home surrounded and encircled with love by her daughters; son-in-law, George; loving grandchildren; Father Meletios and Despina Naylor. She was born Feb. 23, 1943, daughter of the late Anne (Varga) and John Gogol. Lorrie graduated from Monessen High School with the Class of 1961. She is survived by three daughters, Lisa Cheroki, Roxanne Tsambarlis and Ronalyn (George) Apodiakos; her grandchildren, Cole and McKenna Keffel, Gianna Cheroki and her partner Jonathan Kravets and Markello, Niko and Dimitri Apodiakos; former son-in-law Herc Tsambarlis; aunt, Laverne Varga; and sister-in-law, Patti Gogol. She was blessed with amazing years of love and friendship with so many dear friends with whom she laughed and chatted daily. They brought her such joy. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Anne Gogol; sister, Diane Gogol; infant sister, Paulette and brother, Raymond Gogol; former son-in-law, Erik Keffel; and husband, Ronald Cheroki. “Nini” as she was affectionately known, our family’s matriarch, approached life’s challenges with “fierce grit and determination,” not for herself, but for us. Throughout life, she faced many health challenges but with each one rose to the challenge with grace and dignity, lessons that each of us will embrace for our lifetimes. Her greatest joys were her grandchildren. Whether it be watching, reading or listening to their latest sports endeavors, attending a theatrical or musical programs or simply spending quiet moments with them, they each engendered smiles and contentment like no one else in her heart. While she was a homemaker for years, she worked at Westmoreland County Community College in the Nursing Department as an administrative assistant and later worked at Monessen Public Library. One of her proudest accomplishments was earning her associate’s degree in paralegal studies at 47 years old. Deep thanks and appreciation go to OSPTA Hospice Team, especially Linda Booker, Rachel McClintock and Kara Diehl. The empathy, love and support they provided our Mom and us during the past month and a half has been incredible. Special thanks and appreciation to Marlene Garcia, an angel on Earth, who provided Mom with such tender, loving care and friendship. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to RHOME FUNERAL HOME INC., 1209 Grand Blvd., Monessen, where friends will be welcomed from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 13, 2022. Additional visitation will be held Tuesday, June 14, 2022, from 9 to 10 a.m., the time of services, at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church of Monessen. Interment will follow at Grandview Cemetery of Monessen. Online condolences may be conveyed to the Cheroki family at www.rhomefuneralhome.com.
