Cheri Mc Grath

Cheri Mc Grath, age 74, passed away peacefully in her home on November 20th, 2023 following a brief illness. Cheri was a lifelong resident of Milwaukee, WI, most recently residing at St John’s on the Lake, where she was a sociable and well-loved member of their community since 2010. Prior to her retirement, Cheri taught visually disabled students while a teacher with Milwaukee Public Schools for 18 years. Following her teaching career, Cheri remained an active advocate for persons with disabilities, serving her community through various volunteer roles. During more than 20 years as a volunteer with ABLE – Audio and Braille Literacy Enhancement – Cheri logged over 8,000 volunteer hours, including 14 years on the Board with several terms as Board President.

Cheri was a passionate advocate and supporter of public transit, serving for many years on the Milwaukee County Transit Advisory Board. During Cheri’s tenure as a volunteer with Milwaukee County Transit System, she assisted staff in training new bus operators, focusing on providing sensitivity and awareness to assisting passengers with disabilities. There have been 100’s of MCTS bus operators over the years who benefited from Cheri’s insightful and engaging hands-on training.

Cheri was also a long-term member of the Milwaukee County Commission on Persons with Disabilities, as well as giving her time to many other volunteer and advocacy groups.

In 2013, Cheri was named to the Milwaukee County Senior Citizen Hall of Fame and in 2011, Cheri was given the unique honor of having a USPS $.44 stamp featuring her photo and the motto “Women Putting their Stamp on Metro Milwaukee”.

For many decades, Cheri was served by a loyal succession of specially trained seeing eye dogs, and Cheri in turn helped support the mission of the Seeing Eye Dog organization.

Per Cheri’s wishes, there were no services held. Friends and those wishing to honor Cheri’s memory are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to one or more of her designated charities:

1) The Seeing Eye, P.O. Box 375, Morristown, NJ 07963-0375

info@Seeingeye.org. (973) 539-4425

2). Audio & Braille Literacy Enhancement, Inc.

Central Library Building 803 W. wells St., Milwaukee, WI 53233

ablenow.org 414-286-3039

3). Wisconsin Public Radio P. O. Box 88025, Milwaukee, WI 53288-8025

membership@wpr.org. 888-202-2552

As a blind person, Cheri was not able to visually experience colors, but that did not stop her from having her favorites or surrounding herself with a rainbow of vibrancy. To celebrate Cheri’s life and indomitable spirit, wear something red, smile and share a laugh with a friend.