Cherri Lynn Woodley (née Jones), a beloved wife, mother, Cherreé, sister, and friend, passed away surrounded by loved ones on February 13, 2025, just one day before her birthday. She was the youngest daughter of Paul D. Jones Jr. and Dorothy Jean Jones, growing up in Sioux City, Iowa with her older sisters, Cynthia, Cathleen, and Carol.
A Life of Love and Devotion
Cherri shared a beautiful life and dedicated marriage of 46 years with her husband, Patrick Woodley, building a family rooted in love, faith, and togetherness. Their love story was one of deep connection and shared dreams, a testament to the strength of their bond and the way they enriched each other’s lives. Cherri and Pat’s relationship was built on affection, admiration, and commitment, serving the model of what true love can be. Their love was the foundation of everything they built together—family, business, and a lifetime of memories. She was a nurturing and steadfast mother to their four children and was known affectionately as “Cherreé” by her ten grandchildren. She was the heart of her family, celebrating birthdays, holidays, and everyday moments with unmatched love and attention. Her love for her family was boundless, and the strength of her devotion was felt by everyone who knew her. Her family held her in highest regard, seeing her as a constant source of unconditional love, strength and support.
A Legacy of Hard Work and Vision
Cherri graduated from Sioux City Central High School in 1972, where she was head cheerleader, Homecoming Queen, an honor roll student, a member of Friendship Club and a bright presence among her peers. Later, a graduate of Colorado State University in 1976, Cherri earned her bachelor’s degree in business, equipping her with the skills and knowledge that would later help build and sustain a thriving family business. She combined her education with an intuitive sense for design, strategy, and entrepreneurship, leaving an enduring mark on the industry. Cherri was a pioneering female entrepreneur, co-founding Woodley’s Fine Furniture alongside her husband, Pat, her sister Carol, and her brother-in-law Mike. The family moved from Iowa to Colorado, building a company rooted in hard work, vision, and dedication. Cherri and Carol played instrumental roles in marketing and accounting, shaping the company’s foundation during its first decade. Their success was a testament to their perseverance and forward-thinking spirit—an achievement all the more remarkable for women in business at the time.
Passion for Nature and Wellness
Cherri had a lifelong love for health, nature, and holistic living. She was a dedicated herbalist and nutritionist, advocating for organic food and natural healing long before it was mainstream. Her smarts and intuitive approach to wellness made her ahead of her time, always a step ahead in understanding what the world needed. A fighter, a rebel, and a free spirit, Cherri lived life on her own terms, never afraid to challenge conventional norms in her quest for better health. Her deep love for animals and plants was evident in the way she cared for countless pets and even the smallest creatures in need. Her home was filled with thriving plants she had nurtured for decades, a reflection of her gentle and giving spirit. She and Patrick shared a love of gardening and walking their land, finding peace in the breathtaking views of the Flatirons of Boulder.
A Creative and Free Spirit
Cherri was a designer, artist, seamstress, and incredible cook, always eager to learn and share new ideas. Her insatiable curiosity led her to explore everything from history and politics to the smallest wonders of the natural world. A passionate dancer, she carried her love for movement from childhood, when she dreamed of being a professional dancer or Olympic swimmer. She joyfully shared this passion with her family through lively dance parties and music-filled moments. Cherri’s love for reading and collecting books reflected her endless curiosity, with shelves filled with stories and cookbooks. She often gifted books to loved ones, always knowing the perfect title, and loved sharing her latest literary discoveries. Through her creativity and thirst for knowledge, Cherri inspired all who knew her.
A Heart Rooted in Faith
Cherri’s Christian faith was a guiding force in her life, and she found deep meaning in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8:
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”
Cherri was a woman who lived her faith with authenticity, honesty, and kindness. Her belief in God shaped everything she did and guided her every action. She was a woman who had a profound faith in heaven and angels, often speaking of the beauty she believed awaited in the afterlife. Her faith was unwavering, and it was through this faith that she approached every challenge, hardship, and triumph with a heart full of grace. She shared this love with all she encountered, always offering a listening ear, wise counsel, and gentle encouragement.
Forever in Our Hearts
Cherri is survived by her adoring husband, Patrick Woodley, and their loving family. Her daughter, Jacquelynn Perkins (née Woodley), and son-in-law, Randy Perkins, will forever cherish the lessons she taught them, passing on her love and creativity to their children, Arlo and Willa. Her daughter, Andrea Dratch (née Woodley), and son-in-law, Stephen Dratch, will continue to honor her memory alongside their three sons, Eli, Alec, and Owen, carrying forward her quick wit and humor that always brought laughter to those around her. Her son, Justin Woodley, and daughter-in-law, Jill Woodley (née Cope), will carry forward her legacy of warmth, wisdom, and dedication in the lives of their children, Clara, Esther, and Lawrence. Her daughter, Averri Young (née Woodley), and son-in-law, Zachary Young, will keep her spirit alive in the hearts of their two sons, Wilder and baby Young.
She is also survived by her sisters, Cathleen Glinton (née Jones), and Carol Woodley (née Jones), as well as extended family and many dear friends. Cherri was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Dorothy Jean Jones, and her sister, Cynthia Hughes (née Jones).
There will be Visitation for Cherri on Monday March 3, 2025, from 4pm to 6pm, here at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. The funeral will be held at LifeBridge Christian Church in Longmont, Colorado on March 12, 2025, at 11am, to honor her life and legacy, with a reception following the service, at LifeBridge. In keeping with Cherri’s wishes and love for nature, the family kindly requests no flowers. Instead, those who wish to honor her memory may consider a donation to the Longmont Museum in her name.
Cherri’s love, wisdom, and boundless generosity will live on in the hearts of those who knew her. Though she is gone, her spirit will remain ever present—as timeless as love itself.
Terry Lewis
Sad to hear of Cheri's passing. She was a sweet person.