Cheryl Ann Sweeney

Cheryl Sweeney, 67, passed away on December 3, 2025 surrounded by her loving family. Cheryl was born September 11, 1958 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Ellis Jackson and Bette Balefske. She is survived by her loving husband Brian Sweeney, her daughter Rachel Malette, sisters Jody Klatt and Christy Meredith, nieces Brandy Dorrans, Tifanee Constantino, Vanessa Hudson and so many others she loved so deeply.

Cheryl possessed a sense of adventure and determination that was demonstrated throughout her life. At 19 she embarked from Utah to Alaska, alone and in a newly purchased truck, learning how to drive a manual transmission along her journey. Once in Alaska she worked on the pipeline during the oil boom years doing bookkeeping for a drilling company. After 7 years in Alaska, she returned to Utah with her infant daughter, later moving to California which would become home. Cheryl worked for Sacramento county for 25 years, finishing her career as an investigative assistant for the Dept of Health & Human Services.

Cheryl loved to travel throughout both the US and abroad, visiting places like Mexico, Spain, France, Italy, Ireland, and Amsterdam. But more than that she loved her family and friends, particularly hosting them at gatherings in her home. Her kindness, warmth and cheerfulness showed through everything she did, as did her beautiful smile. She also loved all babies, laughter, teasing, and singing rock and roll songs.

Those who knew her know she was so strong and was the heart of the family. She loved life to the fullest and and she will be missed more than this short summary can convey.

A memorial celebration will be planned for a later date.