Cheryl Dawn Horn-Garcia

Cheryl Horn-Garcia, 1957-2025

FERNDALE - Cheryl Dawn Horn-Garcia came into this world on March 24, 1957 in
Pontiac, the third of four daughters born to Harold Horn and Betty Richardson Horn.
Cheryl died March 10 at the age of 67. She and her wife of 35 years, Carmen Garcia,
are both well-known members of the LGBTQ community, especially through their
volunteer activities at the Metropolitan Community Church and Affirmations.
Cheryl graduated in 1975 from Waterford Mott High School where she was active in
student government. For most of her adult working life, Cheryl was a school bus
driver, serving in Birmingham, Utica and at the Cranbrook School. In her 20’s and
30's, Cheryl was an avid runner, participating in the Stroh’s Run for Liberty in 1985 to
support the renovation of the Statue of Liberty and various other running events
such as the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. She also did a half marathon at
the annual Detroit Free Press Marathon.

In 1988 Cheryl met the love of her life, Carmen Garcia. The two were joined in a
Holy Union March 30, 1990 and were legally married March 26, 2016. They first
lived in Clawson then moved to Ferndale in 1994. Their relationship was tested early
when Cheryl was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma. She and Garcia faced this
daunting challenge with courage and resolve, and after two years of intense
chemotherapy and radiation treatments, doctors told Cheryl she was in complete
remission. The cancer never recurred the rest of her life.

By her 40s, complications from a work-related back injury and other health
challenges required Cheryl to go on permanent disability. When she became a
member in 1990, Cheryl devoted herself to volunteering at the Metropolitan
Community Church of Detroit, serving on many committees and project groups. She
was an integral part of the Wednesday Night Dinner Crew that raised the funds for
MCCD’s annual Christmas Dinner for the Homeless. She was a key member of the
dinner crew at the Christmas Dinners the last 12 years MCCD hosted them. Cheryl
gave support back to others who faced scary health issues when she joined MCCD’s
Walking Together Ministry, which served people battling life threatening illnesses
and their caregivers. That group formed a team for Relay For Life to support the
annual national fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

A voracious reader, Cheryl read and re-read the Shakespeare plays and sonnets.
She and Carmen were part of a group of friends that went to the Stratford
Shakespeare Festival in Canada each summer to enjoy live performances of her
favorite plays. Cheryl also loved all the Harry Potter books. She and Carmen often
found themselves standing outside a local bookstore among dozens of children,
waiting for the release of the latest HP book.

She loved the outdoors, walking, and was curious about all things in nature,
especially fascinated by marine life. She enjoyed socializing with friends and family.
“She loved her friends and family deeply,” said Garcia.
​

Cheryl is survived by her mother, Betty Richardson Horn, age 100, of Waterford,
sisters Trish Horn Sauve of Waterford and Gaye Horn of Clarkston, nieces Renée
(Derek) Rose and
Charisse Sauve (Matt) Everhard, nephew Jason (Wendy Armstrong) Sauve, Christina
Sowers and many great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her
father, Harold Horn, and her oldest sister Diane Horn McGowan.

A memorial service will be held March 28 at 2 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church, 143
Albany, Ferndale 48220 and live streamed:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88487535002?
pwd=h9YqIhT1ZWKy7WanUXxHueALmfqHAV.1

Before the service, visitation with
friends and family will start at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in
Cheryl’s memory to Metropolitan Community Church of Detroit, PO Box 836, Royal
Oak, MI 48068-0836, or donations to the Cheryl Horn-Garcia Radio Internship at
WDET Detroit, 4600 Cass Ave., Detroit MI 48201.

Please share a memory of Cheryl by signing her guestbook.