Our beautiful angel, Claudia, passed away unexpectedly on March 13th, 2012, surrounded with photos of loved ones and her beloved cats. Claudia overcame many physical obstacles in her life and was a passionate champion for the underdog. She demonstrated courage, strength and perseverance in everything she took on.
Growing up on Mercer Island, she enjoyed being involved in Indian Princesses and Girl Scouts. She was an avid athlete and challenged herself to take on karate, women's ice hockey, baseball, basketball, and golf before graduating from Mercer Island High School in 1990.
In addition to baseball, Claudia was passionate about many things including; the theatre, musicals, collecting DVDs, and fighting for the underdog and speaking up for what is right.
She loved almost every genre of music but Broadway Musicals had her heart!
Some of her favorites musicals: RENT, Momma Mia, and Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat - she adored the Village Theatre's production with Cheyenne Jackson and has followed his career ever since.
I truly believe she started to love the theater during her High School years at Mercer Island. She did an amazing job in one of their productions "Conference of the Birds" where she had to maneuver across the stage while reciting her lines and operating a rather large bird puppet. She worked it like a pro and really enjoyed the experience (not to mention I think she was psyched that her classmate working with her was the now very famous Joel McHale). She went on to enjoy attending the Village Theatre in Issaquah with the folks and owned (I believe) every single musical production in her vast collection of DVDs.Early on she developed an undying love of baseball that would last her lifetime. Claudia played five years with the Boys & Girls Club, where she was the only girl competing in an all-boys league. Her passion continued after she attended Seattle Pacific University and at age 23 she returned to the Island to pursue her dream and became the first female coach in the Bellevue Pony League. Eventually her drive lead to her becoming a Mercer Island Baseball Commissioner. Her determination, courage, and skills were highlighted in articles published in the Mercer Island Reporter, Journal American, and on featured on KING TV.
Claudia worked for Group Health Cooperative for more than 10 years she held positions in both Lynnwood's Pharmacy and most recently in the Behavioral Sciences Department where she worked for the mental health providers. She loved helping people and often talked about going back to school to obtain a degree in Counseling. She brought compassion, professionalism, and a devotion to the clients that was unsurpassed. She received several awards for her outstanding customer service and in fact was to receive two more this. She sincerely cared about the people she met and they felt it.
In 1997, Claudia took her faith to a new level and completed the RCIA process at St. James Cathedral in Seattle. She was baptised on Easter by Father Ryan as one of three adults (along with twin sisters who work at cathedral. Claudia found great comfort and peace in her spiritual journey. Claudia is survived by her parents Clyde and Shirley Cherberg of Mercer Island; sisters Diana and Teri (Brett) Harris; nephews Chase and Austin; and nieces Alex and Natalia as well as many relatives throughout the Seattle and Puget Sound area.
She touched many lives in her short time with us and to those who were lucky enough to call her friend. She will be dearly missed by her family and all the wonderful friends that knew her. To read or sign her on-line guest book please visit: Seattle Times.
