In Loving Memory

Cherie Maxine McCanna

Cherie Maxine McCanna, age 86, passed away in the early hours of August 26, 2023, in Chewelah, Washington.  A longtime resident of the Colville Valley, Cherie was born on August 4, 1937 to Albert "A.H." and Elna (Franson) Arlt in Ritzville, WA.

In her youth, Cherie and her family would relocate to the Colville Valley, settling in the Addy area, where her parents would establish a dairy farm.  Cherie would begin attending school in Addy, going on to graduate from Jenkins High School in Chewelah with the class of 1955. She would meet the love of her life, Johnie Daniel McCanna, and the two would be wed at St. Mary of the Rosary Catholic Church in Chewelah, Washington in 1956, soon thereafter beginning their own Dairy Farm in the Addy area.

The following year, Cherie and Johnie would welcome their first child, Jeri, followed by Craig "Johnie", Darrin, and their family was complete with the birth of Brian.  Cherie and Johnie would work tirelessly on their dairy farm throughout their life together, imparting their strong work ethic on each of their four children.  As the two grew older, they continued to work their farm until the death of Johnie in 1989.

Cherie loved her family, and took great pleasure in spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Cherie also took retirement as an opportunity to travel and sightsee with family and friends, going on cruises, spending the long winters in Arizona, and travelling with her sister Mickey to see Nashville and New York City.

Cherie was preceded in death by her loving husband, Johnie McCanna, her son-in-law, Bob Raines; Daughter-in-law, Georganna McCanna; as well as her siblings, Mickey and Raymond.

She is survived by her children, Jeri (Ron), Johnie (Keri), Darrin (Gayla), and Brian (Joanne); her 13 grandchildren, and her 23 great grandchildren, as well as her brothers-in-law, Bob Kessler and Wally Egland; and her sisters-in-law, Ruth Ahlers and Bonnie Weiss.

The funeral services for Cherie will begin at St. Mary of the Rosary Catholic Church with an evening rosary service beginning at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, August 31, 2023; a funeral mass will follow on Friday, September 1, 2023, beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Cherie will be laid to rest with her husband, Johnie, at the Chewelah Memorial Park Cemetery.  Please visit the on-line memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.  Danekas Funeral Chapel is entrusted in care.