Cheryl (Swanson) Ford was released from the pain and energy-sapping horror that is cancer on March 24, 2026. She will be remembered by her family, colleagues, dozens of best friends and students for her multi-faceted talents and skills. She delighted in renewing relationships with middle school students from her early teaching days as adult students at Healthy Living OKC. Her grandchildren delight in recreating tent/forts their “gamaw” taught them to make as they crawled through together in their last visit just weeks ago. Her sons and nieces and nephews share so many stories of the Summer Arts Institutes she started in Enid many summers ago.

She delighted in telling the many stories from her days as the founding director of Leonardo’s Children’s Museum, Enid, OK, especially creating Adventure Quest with the community of Enid. A high point of the last year was joining in the celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Leo’s.” Many of her former child participants are involved in running the museum, and the founding donors continue their support.

Cheryl and Rich Swanson (her prior marriage) moved to Oklahoma City to care for her parents during Clifford’s final illness. She continued to support her mother, Irene, transporting her to medical appointment and to Healthy Living OKC to reach the leather carving class until Cheryl’s last few weeks. Sunday lunch with as much of her extended family as could gather together was a high point of her week.

Following Rich’s sudden death, she met Ken Ford. Their friendship soon blossomed and they married in November 2023.

Cheryl Irene Farriester was born on December 26, 1952 to Clifford and Irene Farriester. She graduated from Phillips University, Enid OK with a BFA. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Ford; her mother, Cliesta Irene Farriester; her sons, Charleton Dechert of Weatherford, TX and wife, Sarah, and Andrew Dechert of Oklahoma City; her grandchildren, Ava and Amelia; her siblings, Cathy Adams, Paul Farriester, Kay Fariester Beatty, Stephen Farriester and their spouses; and her forever friend, Pam Gilbreath of Yukon, OK.

Her family extends many thanks to all the staff of Integris Hospice who eased her final days. In lieu of flowers your gift to Leonardo’s Children’s Museum, 200 E. Maple Ave, Enid, OK 73701, https://www.leonardos.org/donate.html or New Covenant Christian Church, 12000 N Rockwell Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73162, https://www.ncccokc.org/give or Healthy Living OKC11501 N Rockwell Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73162 https://www.healthylivingokc.com

Services are to be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday April 17, 2026, at New Covenant Christian Church, 12000 N Rockwell Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73162.