FRIENDSHIP — Cheryl Anne Harding, a faithful servant of our Lord Jesus, entered His loving arms and received her reward on March 28, 2025.

Born May 20, 1944, to parents E. Arlene Bruns and A. Norman Bruns, she was the youngest of their three children and grew up in Portland, Maine. She met Jesus at an early age and He became her first love. She attended First Baptist Church of Portland where she would meet the second love of her life at youth group, Richard Harding.

Cheryl graduated from Deering High School in 1962. On June 27, 1964, she and Richard married and began their adventure of life together. A natural care giver, Cheryl chose to study nursing and graduated from the Maine School of Practical Nursing. She began a lifelong career caring for others as an LPN at Maine Medical in Portland.

Cheryl was overjoyed when she became a mother in 1966 with the birth of their son Brett, and again in 1969 with the birth of their son James. She was up for the challenge of raising two rambunctious boys as evidenced by her readiness for every family adventure. This included becoming a proficient driver in whatever vehicle Richard brought home, including “Mongoose”, an old truck with a crash box transmission. Once when she was pulled over for speeding, she informed the officer that her husband had taught her if she was going to pass a vehicle, to make the pass!

When Richard’s boat building career took the family to Florida in the 70s, she worked at Morton Plant Hospital while enjoying sailing and swimming in Clearwater Bay and parts of the Gulf with her family.

The family returned to Maine and settled in Rockport in 1980. She was again blessed as a mother when they welcomed their daughter Cynthia in 1981. Cheryl attended First Baptist Church of Rockland and Owls Head Baptist Church. She had a heart for children and would often serve in children’s ministries. Cheryl was a gifted singer and loved to praise God singing in church choirs, participating in cantatas for Christmas and other special occasions, and performing solos throughout her life.

In her career she worked for renowned dermatologist Dr. M Brodie James for a time, and then also for oral surgeon Dr. John Gee. She also spent time working for Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport. Cheryl enjoyed expanding her knowledge in nursing to provide exceptional care to all patients. Her caregiving expanded beyond her regular patients at times. She once rescued a Saw-whet owl from a murder of crows, carefully nursing it back to health and later releasing it back into the wild.

In 1987 Cheryl, Richard and Cindy would move onto the ketch “Wings of Dawn” where they would sail between Virginia, Maryland, and Maine before settling in Virginia. Cheryl continued her career as an LPN in Virgina working at Walter Reed Hospital, Gloucester Family Practice, and Whitestone Family Practice. She shared fond memories of flying by helicopter or small private plane to Tangier Island to provide care and services to their patients. She attended Gloucester Point Baptist Church and Petsworth Baptist Church where she served others and grew in her devotion to Jesus.

In 2005 Cheryl and Richard would return to Maine ultimately settling in Waldoboro. Cheryl continued to serve Jesus with her gifts and talents, including singing in choirs, cantatas, and serving in the Good News Club with elementary aged children. In the summer Cheryl loved going out for convertible dates that most often ended with getting a scoop (or two) of ice cream and gathering with her family for holidays and cookouts. She traveled as often as possible to Virginia to visit their daughter Cynthia. She was thrilled when Cynthia and granddaughter Ariana moved to Maine as Cheryl’s prayer to have all her children and grandchildren close had finally been answered.

Cheryl loved to laugh, she loved to share a good meal, and she prayed intentionally and often for each of her children, their spouses, and all her grandchildren as evidenced by the prayer list found tucked away in her Bible. Cheryl spent her final years at Winship Greens in Bath, where her family is forever grateful for the care and love provided for her there.

Predeceased by her parents, Arlene and Norman Bruns; brother Philip Bruns; sister-in-law Ellen; and husband, Richard, whom we know was standing next to Jesus waiting to welcome her into eternity; Cheryl is survived by sons Brett Harding and wife Randi, James Harding and wife Razella, daughter Cynthia Harding; her brother Robert Bruns, sister-in-law Francis Bruns; her grandchildren Lindsay, Ryan, and Ariana; and great grandson Elias. And many other lifelong friends whom Cheryl met along her travels and loved very much.

A celebration of Life for Cheryl will be held Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 3 p.m., at Orff’s Corner Baptist Church of Waldoboro, 2506 Winslow Mills Rd.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland. To share a memory or condolence with Cheryl’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.