Cherie Ann Dowling

Cherie Ann Dowling, 70, of Niles passed away on March 11, 2025, at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville, after an extended illness. Cherie was born on January 8, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, the first child of Barbara and Elmer Gaedtke, who soon settled in Barb's hometown of Niles, Michigan.

Cherie lived in Niles nearly all her life. She graduated from Niles High School in 1973. Her classmates remember her as smiley and lively. She was a lot of fun!

From a very young age, Cherie loved animals. Drawn to most any creature she encountered, a familiar plea to her parents was: Can I keep him? While allowing Cherie her pets, Cherie's parents instilled a fun-loving, adventuresome spirit that stuck to her core. The family's boating and camping trips were among Cherie's favorite childhood memories, especially cruising the entire shoreline of Lake Michigan. The grown-up Cherie enjoyed many canoe trips with friends on Michigan rivers. As an adolescent in her lovely river city, she had the run of the town on her bike, and Cherie's passion for the great outdoors blossomed. She picked up interesting stones and rocks wherever her bike or her parents took her. An intrigue for fine jewelry as an adult was grounded in a fascination with the science of gem formation.

By the time she was a teenager, Cherie imagined a career in marine biology, but a different professional path began at age 15, when she became a cheery presence in the office of Niles dentist, Dr. James Cross. Dr. Cross was Cherie's mentor and friend. As she honed her skills of assisting him, Doctor Cross valued her adeptness and efficiency. She was smart, and interested in learning. But the office benefited most from Cherie's affinity with people. Her warmth and friendliness welcomed and relaxed dental patients for four decades.

Cherie was a nurturer – of plants in her gardens, of friendships, of her parents' comfort at their end of life.

As Cherie's health failed, she inspired family and friends with her optimism, keeping her sense of humor close. At the health clinics, at the hospital, and at the rehab center, Cherie was upbeat, trading joking banter with staff and patients, listening to anyone who needed an ear to lean on – and always caring. Cherie leaves a legacy of abounding kindness and generosity. Going forth with her virtues are son Ryne Dowling and his fiancee, Meredith Hollingsworth; daughter Jenna Treat and husband, T.J., and grandchildren Trey and Kennedy Treat.

A winning season for Notre Dame football lifted Cherie's spirits as she persevered through illness. She also liked to watch old movies, and with her sharp memory enjoyed naming the faces of the bygone actors. Nature remained close as she spotted deer and hawks outside her window. Cherie was preceded in death by her parents and her two brothers, Conrad and Chris Gaedtke, and two aunts Nancy Hatch and Ruth Ann Bever.

A sense of her German heritage was kindled within Cherie by the stories told by her grandmother and great-aunt. The sisters emigrated to Chicago together as young women. As a teen, Cherie would take the train into Chicago and stay with her great-aunt, Mitzi, who owned a small boutique. Cherie had the carefree excitement of being out and about the city streets on her own, meeting up with Aunt Mitzi at her shop, where Cherie's fashion sense and immaculate chic style was surely influenced.Cherie was beautiful, inside and out.

Cherie's family is thankful for all the care she received from the staff members of Fresenius Dialysis – Niles, The Timbers of Dowagiac and Hanson Hospice Center of Stevensville. Donations in Cherie's memory can be made to the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan, 5400 S. Niles Rd. St. Joseph, Michigan, 49085

Arrangements have been entrusted Halbritter Wickens Funeral Services Please share a memory or a message online: HalbritterWickens.com