Remembering Darlene Cherry

January 23, 1935 – April 19, 2016

On Tuesday, April 19th Darlene lost her battle with breast cancer. She was the wife of Walter Cherry and mother to Jody Cherry.

Darlene’s decades long professional career included work in both the private and public sector managing a variety of organizations. In Saskatoon Darlene was a radio broadcaster and owner of a public relations firm.  On moving to Ottawa she joined CJOH – TV as a producer. This was followed by the Resource Director position at Stacey Personnel and from there she moved to the public sector and management positions in the Foreign Investment Review Agency (FIRA), Consumer Affairs, the Metric Commission and Energy Mines and Resources. Her position with the Canada Employment and Immigration Commission began her work of supporting Canadian business and entrepreneurship in her role as Small Business Consultant and Labour Market Services. Industry Science and Technology was the last branch of the federal government she worked for where she held three roles Project Manager for the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Office, Senior Advisor for the Strategic Information Branch and the role she was most proud of, Manager of the Canada Awards for Business Excellence (CABE).

Darlene was an entrepreneur in her own right founding DAWA Publishing Ltd. in 1984.  After retiring from government service and studying with Dr. Edward de Bono and Thomas Leonard she ran an international personal business coaching practice for many years.

Darlene was a lifelong learner studying at the University of Saskatchewan, Carleton University and the Banff School of Fine Arts.  She attained a certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the University of Windsor and TQM Chair from Achieve International/Service Quality Academy. Also interested in the cultures of Asia Darlene studied feng shui eventually opening a consultation service and teaching on the subject for the Ottawa Carleton School Board. In the early 90’s she began studying Ikebana with the Ottawa branch of the Sogetsu School attaining her Teacher’s Certificate in 2006.

Darlene held memberships in the International Coaches Federation, International Council for Small Business, the International Association of Business Communicators, Media Club of Canada and Ikebana International. Darlene and her husband Walter were also long-time members of the Cedarhill Golf and Country Club.

Darlene’s family thank you for honouring her memory with a donation to the WBN’s Healthy Women Healthy Community program and the funding of a mammogram suite at The Ottawa Hospital. You can make a donation by clicking here.