Cheryl Anne Larsen of West Tisbury died peacefully on Wednesday, July 19. She was 67.
She was born September 6, 1956 in Fall River to Constance Gendreau Kuttner of Westport and Robert Kuttner of Portsmouth, R.I.
Having spent most of her childhood in Westport, Cheryl moved to Chilmark, where she started her family of three children in Menemsha and Beetlebung Corner. In time she proudly built her beloved home alongside the state forest in West Tisbury. It is constructed of posts and beams milled on the Vineyard out of native Island trees.
Later in life she pursued her dream of attaining a master’s degree in mathematics education. Despite the challenge, she attended the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth while commuting off-Island, working two jobs and still raising her three children. A feminist at heart, she was the first woman in her family to obtain an advanced degree.
She will be remembered by many students as a dedicated teacher at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School and junior high schools both on and off the Island.
Second only next to her family was Cheryl’s love of animals of every kind. She adored her dogs and cats and often referred to her numerous adopted pets as being part of a small animal rescue effort and shelter of her own.
Her smile, laughter, sense of humor and independent, self-driven spirit will always live in the hearts of her family members.
Cheryl is survived by her children, Tanya Larsen of Martha’s Vineyard, Erik Larsen, his partner Kristin Smith and their children Sophie and Nils Larsen of Mattapoisett, and Nathan Larsen of Littleton, N.H.; her brothers Michael Kuttner and Stephen Kuttner and his wife Lisa; and her nieces Taylor, Lexi and Aubree.
A celebration of her life and legacy will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers please donate in Cheryl’s name to a humanitarian or animal rights non-profit of your choice.
