Jody Lynn Cherry

Jody Lynn Cherry, 60, of New Cumberland, PA, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at her residence. She was the daughter of the late Jerry Smith and Barbara (Hoy) Holt, born on August 29, 1964, in Baltimore, MD.

As a young lady, she worked various jobs; one she particularly enjoyed was starting her own cleaning business with friends and family who grew up on the same street as her. After having her two boys, it became clear that Baltimore was not the place she wanted to raise a family. Following her sister, Lisa, she would move north to York County, PA, reestablishing herself while making a new home. 

Jody faced her share of obstacles throughout life, but none of which kept her from remaining positive and putting those around her first. She was a big personality—enormous, actually. She was loud and had an infectious sense of humor. In jest, it was typical of her to work the room, painting a beautiful picture of someone by way of her storytelling, only to then end it with a quick and hilarious (and often horribly inappropriate) 180, effectively tearing the person to shreds. She made light of anything and everything, doing what she could to embrace the silliness of life. 

Stemming from an accident in her 20s, she dealt with chronic physical pain on a daily basis. Despite this, you couldn’t keep Jody down. She had energy for days, she loved animals, amusement parks and the beach, and she’d gladly give you the shirt off her back. Though it was out of her control, she routinely scared family and friends with her dramatic sleep talking and crazy behavior as she acted out dreams. Perhaps it was her personal pain that drove her to make those around her laugh as much as possible. It’s nearly impossible to not smile when you think of Jody, and that’s just the way she would have wanted it. She will be missed. 

Surviving Jody is her son, Robert L. Cherry, Jr. and his wife, Kiersten Cherry; grandchildren, Kal Cherry and Zane Cherry; another son, Christopher J. Cherry and significant other, Caitlyn Yohey; and siblings, Kelly Blinke, Lisa Frederick and Chris Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her Aunt Lynnie, Uncle Bill and Uncle Sonny. 

Services will be private and held at the convenience of the family. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Jody's name to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation at www.bcrf.org.