Cheryl Lee Cerullo, 76, of Valparaiso, Indiana
December 29, 1949 – March 27, 2026
Cheryl Lee Cerullo, 76, of Valparaiso, Indiana, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, March 27, 2026. Born on December 29, 1949, in Audubon, New Jersey, to the late Robert and Phyllis (Muerdler) Weir, she was raised in Clementon, NJ and graduated from Overbrook Regional High School in 1968. She earned her nursing degree from Lankenau Hospital School of Nursing in 1971 and worked for several years as a NICU nurse at Northwestern Medicine/Prentice Women’s Hospital in Chicago.
Cheryl met and married Dr. Leonard John Cerullo, and together they shared 52 years of love, travel, and amazing meals. They lived in Paris and Chicago before settling in River Forest, Illinois, and later Valparaiso, Indiana. Cheryl also cherished time spent in their homes in Woodstock, Illinois, and Anguilla, British West Indies.
Cheryl had a remarkable gift for connecting with people, and she and Len were known for hosting memorable gatherings that brought family and friends together. She loved time with her daughters and grandchildren, beaches near and far, and befriending every dog she met. Her warmth, generosity, and joy for life touched everyone who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. Leonard John Cerullo, on January 16, 2024, and her daughter, Katherine “Katie” Cerullo, in 2007.
Cheryl is survived by her daughters, Dr. Lauren (Dr. Moe Farhat) Cerullo and Whitney (Danny Atkinson) Cerullo; her cherished grandchildren, Leo and Zoe Farhat; her sister, Cathy (Terry) Carey; her brother-in-law, John Cerullo, and his spouse, Dr. Shawn Finnegan; her sister-in-law, Carol Cauley (widow of Butch Cauley); and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lakeshore Paws.
GUESTBOOK
We have been neighbors of Cheryl and Len for only a few years, but what a rewarding few years they have been. We have adored them and their family. Cheryl was very lonely after Len passed. She continued walking her dog around the neighborhood and connecting with all who loved her chats. We will miss her greatly. -Keith and Charlotte Friedlund
I feel very fortunate to have called Cheryl my good friend for the last several years. We met through our dogs, Fannie Mae and Winnie Mae. We had many adventures, Cheryl was always up for a road trip. We visited Saugatuck, South Haven and St. Joe every Summer. Saturdays were the Farmer’s Markets. We would always share our latest recipes, she was an awesome food enthusiast. Cheryl was truly one of a kind and I will miss her always. Love to the family. -TC-Tina Carone
Cheryl was my mother, and she was fabulous. She had lots of friends and family who loved her deeply and made sure she was not lonely after my father’s passing. The amount of people who truly loved her was a testament to who she was as a human being. I feel like I won the lottery when it came to parents, and I feel a tremendous loss since her passing. My only regret is she never got to meet my dog Betty, who she would have absolutely adored. To honor her legacy, I will do my best to take care of her daughter. Love you, mama -Whitney Cerullo
Cheryl was such a dear friend to me, and I will always treasure the time we shared in Anguilla. So many of our conversations revolved around the simple joys of life—our dogs, our kids, and exchanging recipes and little stories from our days. Cheryl had such warmth and kindness, and being with her always felt easy and genuine. I will miss her friendship deeply and will always carry those memories with me. -Susanne Schroeder
Lucky to have had a wonderful childhood with my cousin Cheryl. Great memories from the days we were all just kids at LBI. Cheryl lit up a room. We shared a birthday (cousin Brenda’s was a day earlier). Lots of joint parties back then. Catching crabs and chasing the girls around at our grandparents was always fun. RIP cuz. Love you. “Jackie” -Jack Muerdler
Dear Whitney and Lauren We were so sad to hear of the all too soon passing of your mom. Cheryl was such a kind and gentle soul. We cannot imagine how much you will miss her. We only hope that memories of your time together can provide some small measure of solace. Know that you and your families are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Our deepest sympathies. -Lynn Butler, Burk Schmitt and Family
