The community that rallied around a Salado ISD employee is now celebrating her after she lost a long battle with lung cancer.
Cheryl Kuykendall worked in the Salado High School cafeteria for the last ten years, but now the seat she used to sit in is empty. Kuykendall was battling stage four lung cancer for a little over a year before passing away at home at home on Sept. 6.
"She frequently worked at the cash register there and would check people out in the cafeteria and was just a very positive smiling face," Salado ISD Superintendent Michael Novotny said. "I got a call from our cafeteria manager that said she passed away the night before and although very sad, she was struggling there at the end so I believe she is in a better place."
And while Kuykendall is gone, her Salado ISD family said they will never forget her.
"I really miss her and everyone misses her in this cafeteria. I just want to keep her in my heart forever," Salado High School custodian Graciela Ruiz said.
The public is invited to a Celebration of Life Service at Jack's Barn in Salado at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
In Lieu of flowers, the family is asking for contributions to be made to the 2018 Lung Love Walk (Team Cheryl) being hosted by the Lung Cancer Alliance.
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