The Waianae Coast has lost a hard-working, well loved, and very respected member of the community. Cheryl De La Cruz passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends in the early morning of June 10, 2022, at her home. She fought a long hard and valiant battle with cancer. She was 51 years old. Born on September 21, 1970, in Honolulu and graduating from Campbell High School in 1988, Cheryl dedicated her life to her family and to her community.She worked at the Queen Liliuokalani Children's Center doing what she loved most – helping children and their families in their time of need. Much of her work dealt with helping families work through the grief of losing someone. Through her work she touched many lives and brought her deep compassion to everyone she encountered.
She was a strong and committed community leader and supported organizations along the coast. In her work, she started and nurtured numerous programs to develop leadership in others, to create organizations that supported the community, and to care for the community's most vulnerable.
After leaving QLCC due to her illness, she worked at Waianae High School where staff and students will remember her love of the youth at the school and her willingness to go beyond what was expected to make sure young people were seen and cared for.
Cheryl will be remembered for her love of music, her singing and dancing and the joy she brought to people around her. Everyone will remember her infectious laugh and her passion. The hundreds of people who showed up at her home during her last moments is a testament to the impact she had on the people around her.
She is survived by her husband, Linton De La Cruz; son, Dallas "Keola" De La Cruz; daughter, Tanisha "Maka'ala" (Kalei) Aniya; father, Alfred (Kathleen) Magno, Sr.; mother, Nettie Armitage (Joseph) Lapilio; grandmother, Winona Lapilio; brother, Alfred Magno, Jr.; sisters, Candice Aniya, Corrina (Christopher) Ibanez, Charlene (Abruaym) Kealoha and Hokulea (Clyson) Nakaahiki; granddaughters, Aleesha Hensley and Aleina Hensley. She leaves numerous nephews and nieces and an extended ohana of many people spread across the islands and across the continent. She is, and will always be, sorely missed.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at Mililani Mortuary Mauka Chapel. Visitation begins at 5:30 pm
and Service 6:30 pm.
