Esther Lou “Cherry” Koch McCabria
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A celebration of life for Esther Lou “Cherry” Koch McCabria, 91, Eudora, will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday January 7, 2023 at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Eudora KS. A luncheon will follow in the church basement and the family will receive friends at that time. She died December 31, 2022 at Eudora Medicalodges.
Cherry was born January 11, 1931, in Lawrence KS, the daughter of Gus and Jane J. (Jackson) Koch. She received her BA in Education from Baker University and began her teaching career in a one room schoolhouse known as Apple Pie in the Clinton area. She taught in various school settings throughout her 30 plus year career, earning a master’s degree and many accolades for her teaching. She finished her career at Lawrence High School as a special education teacher, retiring in 1992.
A cherished sister, mother and wife, Cherry will be remembered by family and friends for her work ethic, love for a party of any kind, and generosity. She was a passionate advocate for the disabled community in the Douglas County area and enjoyed volunteering in a variety of organizations including 4H and in her church.
Cherry married Robert (Bob) McCabria on July 20, 1952, at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Eudora, KS who preceded her in death in 2015. She is survived by her daughter Robyn McCabria Kelso and son-in-law Mike Kelso; sons Rory and Russ McCabria, daughter in law Cheryl McCabria, five grandchildren, Matthew and Mason Kelso and Cheyenne, Seonna and Sierra McCabria. She was preceded in death by her siblings Karl Koch and Jeanette “Honey” Koch List and parents Gus and Jane Koch.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials in her name to the Douglas County 4-H Foundation for scholarship purposes and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street Lawrence, KS 66044.
We have lost a wonderful teacher and friend. Her smiling face and the encouragement that she gave us as we went our ways helped to shape so many of our lives. Cherry you will be missed.
I had the privilege of being a Student Assistant my Junior and Senior years of high school in Cherry’s class. That was 44 years ago and during all of those years since she was my mentor, friend and encourager. Cherry gave me a love and passion for education and students which I carried through my career and still do today. She was truly “my angel” on earth. She will be so missed by all of us that loved her so very much! My thoughts and prayers go out to her family!
No matter how long it had been since we had seen each other, Cherry would say, “Well, how are you? Where are you living now?” and from there we would continue our visit about our families, friends, and what was going on in our lives. Cherry Koch McCabria was a person everyone respected and admired. Cherry McCabria had been my sister-in-law’s grade school teacher years ago. With a sad heart I sent Linda a text to let her know of the obituary. Sending gentle hugs and prayers for comfort to all of Cherry’s family. Elizabeth Weeks Woods
I have many fond memories of Cherry and her words of wisdom when I was in high school. She was a wonderful person and made an impact on the lives of many.
Much love to the family and prayers for peace during this time.
Cherry was a legend in the teaching profession, as well her personal life. She was a wonderful friend and mentor to her many students throughout her years of teaching. Terry and I learned the importance of strong and respectful discipline in the classroom. The days at Kaw
Valley will never be forgotten thanks to Cherry and the other wonderful staff who made it so special.
I met Cherry thru my daughter and son in law, Deb and Stan Burnham. Such a lovely, caring, welcoming lady. Enjoyed knowing her. My sympathy to the family.
Aunt Cherry, we have wonderful memories of family gatherings together. We were never fortunate to have lived in Kansas while growing up where you, mom, and Uncle Karl were born and raised. You are a special person and I’m so proud to call you Family. Rest in Peace ❤️
So sorry to read this announcement of Mrs. McCabria’s passing. She was my second-grade teacher in the early 1950’s, the first whole year in Eudora Elementary’s new building on Main Street. As second graders, we thought it was very cool to have a teacher named Cherry Koch! She was very young. She let us give her birthday swats with a long, paper tube! In the spring, all the students and their mothers had a bridal shower for her in the school cafeteria and then our Miss Cherry Koch became Mrs. McCabria. She talked to me in second grade about being a teacher. I took that advised and taught for almost 30 years, mostly second grade! I saw her every now and then and has so honored when she called me when I retired from teaching. She will be missed. She made a difference!
I have so many fond memories of Cherry (and family). She inspired many vacations and activities with our two families, White Memorial Camp, Bull Shoals Lake; and 4-H Square dances, fundraising dances featuring “Darren and the Dudes (supportive of young musicians). A remarkable woman offering so much to area communities. She will be missed.
Condolences to Robyn, Rory, Rusty and families. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I had the privilege of being a student in Cherry McCabria’s classroom in grades 5th thru 8th at Kaw Valley School. She made it such a positive experience. Cherry instilled the importance of life long learning into her students. We always felt respected and loved. I have always thought of Cherry as a role model for a compassionate educator. She was truly a wonderful teacher and friend who will be missed. Condolences to her family.
Smart, determined and sweet is a fair summary of Cherry. But, Cherry was a person that really can’t be summed up, she was full of surprises and energy. I am blessed to have had her as a part of my family.
Mrs. Mc Canaria was one of my favorite teacher at LHS.
I had the pleasure to be a HS teacher aide in her class. My dream was to have a career in Special Ed but that didn’t work out for me. However I do have Special Needs granddaughter and a lot of her teachings have helped me in so many ways….
Rest In Peace and I am sending my thoughts and prayers to your family🙏🏻
You were such a positive and inspiration to to me😘
I grew up knowing Cherry from Church at St. Paul’s. Cherry was such a special person. I will miss our discussions over the years and the advice she would give me, and I always felt she made me a better person. She was a special person. She will be missed.
Cherry was a very thoughtful, caring, and one smart lady! I treasure memories of her and her many phrases about life. Anyone that knew her was blessed beyond measure! My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
MY deepest empathy to Robyn-(Mike), Russ, and Rory for the loss of Cherry on this earth. It was a delight to have known Cherry as a colleague @ LHS. I attended some of her gatherings at her farm home with other members of the Special Education and FACS Department. She had an awesome sense of humor and her laughter was contagious. She had a compassion for her students and was a role model to those around her. May the wonderful memories of Cherry be of comfort as you grieve the loss of her on this earth.
I had the privilege of student teaching under Cherry at Cordley Elementary School during the spring semester of 1966. I graduated from KU that spring and was hired by USD 497 to teach at Cordley starting in August, 1966. I taught special education students at Cordley from 1966-1982, when I moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. Cherry was an outstanding teacher, mentor, and friend. I learned so much from her. I continued my teaching career in special education in Lincoln until my retirement in 2006. I have fond memories of my years at Cordley, and Cherry contributed to that. She walked with a purpose in mind, but she had such an open heart for her students and co-workers. She was also an amazing mom to Rory, who was one of my students during some of those years. He was a joy to have in my class. One of her quotes that I will never forget was, “If you want to dance, you have to pay the fiddler.” She used it often, along with many others. Thank you, Cherry, for teaching me so much.