Cheryl Ann Colbert, known affectionately as “Pookie,” age 77, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, died on March 3, 2026, from dementia. She bravely survived breast cancer twice and persevered through heart failure resulting from her chemotherapy treatments.
Cheryl was born to Phyllis and Joseph Livernois in Southbridge, Massachusetts. A graduate of Woodstock Academy and Peter Bent Brigham Nursing School, Cheryl was a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner. She held a Bachelor of Science degree from Emmanuel College and a Master’s degree in nursing from Marymount University. She worked at Faulkner Hospital, Lahey Hospital, Olsen Home Care, Riverside Community Care and eventually founded Senior Care Alternatives, a geriatric care management service in Wellesley, with Frances Kerchner (the job in which she had the most joy).
Additionally, she co-founded the Wellesley Cancer Prevention Project, was President and involved with the Wellesley Garden Study Club, and joined the health and healing task force at Wellesley Village Church (where she was a dedicated member for 37 years).
She is survived by her daughters, Samantha (Todd), Sarah (Jonathan), Natalie, and her son John (Jill); her grandchildren, Tyler, Mason, Madelyn, Sophie, Jack, and Jane; her brothers, Lawrence and Jay; as well as numerous nieces, cousins, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, John R. Colbert, Jr, her brother Charles “Chuckie”, and her parents, Phyllis and Joe.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the Wellesley Village Congregational Church, 2 Central St, Wellesley. In honor of Pookie’s passion for gardening, we invite guests to dress in Spring colors. Donations can be made in her honor to the church www.wellesleyvillagechurch.org and the Wellesley Garden Study Club www.gcfm.org/wellesleygardenstudyclub
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