My Friend Cheryl Matzker

One of the most rewarding benefits of my tours is the wonderful people I meet from all around the globe, and many of them have become good friends and who return to Paris frequently. 

In 2009, Cheryl Matzker, a retired French teacher from the St. Louis area, and bona fide Francophile, sent me an email requesting a tour. She shared that she was finally making a long-time dream come true: She always wanted to bring a group of her students to Paris, so she was coming with two former students and sisters, Barb and Karen, with whom she stayed in touch with for many years after she taught them. It became a family affair when Karen’s daughter and mother joined them. We did a Marais tour, and we had a blast! (CLICK HERE to read the blog post about the tour) I instantly connected with Cheryl and after our first meeting, she would return to Paris, her happy place, at least once a year for a few weeks and on certain occasions, twice in a year. Each time Cheryl came to Paris she would either book a tour, or we would make plans to do some fun activities around town such as new restaurants, food shops, and museum exhibits. Over the years we had become close friends and shared intimate details about our lives. 

I was very sad to learn that Cheryl passed away last week at a young 73-years old. Her last trip to Paris was just before Covid in February of 2019, and I am so sorry she never had the chance to return to her beloved city. 

 

What I loved most about Cheryl was how fun, upbeat, and adventurous she was. She was up for almost anything and sometimes I would invite her to some out-there activities including lunch at a restaurant specializing in porridge, and a pop up, immersive experience of Russian culture from the 1960s under Communism, where we ate boiled potatoes and boiled meat from tin trays. 

 

One of my fondest memories of Cheryl is when she invited me to tea at the Proust Tea Salon at The Ritz, when it reopened in 2017. We spent hours on a cozy banquette, indulging in a decadent procession of cakes and pastries, and Champagne. CLICK HERE to read my blog post. 

 

 

Cheryl spent a year in Grenoble, France as a student between 1969 and 1970, and spent a semester in Paris in 1972, studying at the Sorbonne and Cité Internationale Universitaire, quite a bold move for that time for a 22-year-old girl from Normal, Illinois. She went on to teach French at O’Fallon Township High School from 1973 to 2005.

I appreciated Cheryl’s support of Eye Prefer Paris over the years, always commenting on my blog posts, saying how she would put certain ones on her to-do list when she came here, purchasing my postcards and photos, and recommending my tours countless times to her friends, colleagues. and family. 

 

Cheryl had a special connection to Notre Dame and it would always be her first and last stop when she came to Paris.  

My dearest Cheryl, Paris will not be the same without you, and I will miss you terribly. Hopefully, there’s a Paris in heaven you can enjoy.

 

Please watch the special YouTube video Corey Frye/ A French Frye in Paris made as a tribute to Cheryl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsJfeJIgFCo

Cheryl, last on the right

Cheryl, bottom right, from our first Marais tour in 2009

 

Comments

[Carmen Clarke]

Thank you, Richard, for your heartfelt tribute to your friend, Cheryl. What a treasure she was! My condolences on the passing of this important person from your life.

[Tucsonbabe]

What a lovely post. I am sure that Cheryl is smiling.

[Charlotte Booker]

Thank you for this! My younger sister, Cassandra, studied French in the late 70s at O’Fallon high school and loved Ms. Matzker. I’m sorry I never got to meet her! I was in Paris for several months in 1973, studying at the Alliance Française, though I never became fluent. I’ll be there again in April! If you’re conducting tours, please add me to your list!

Again, thanks for the wonderful remembrance. Ms. Matzker was definitely a beacon in my sister’s teenage years.

[Deb Foster]

Thank you for this wonderful tribute to my sister, Cheryl. She talked of you often, but I didn’t know how to reach you. Thank you for being such a good friend to her. ❤️ My daughter, my granddaughter, and I are heading to Paris in June. Cheryl was to be our guide to all things Paris. Now our trip will take on a new purpose - a tribute to my only sibling. It will be bittersweet. I’m going to need some advice and help. 😉 ❤️ And I will keep up the Notre Dame love! ❤️ I even have a photo of her included in the framed photos for Cheryl’s graduation memorial. ❤️

[Mary Ballard]

What a LOVELY tribute and post to your friend. One day I hope to take some of your tours as well and am also a former French teacher...so I dream of all the stuff you live!! Blessings to you and yours!

[linda]

isn't it amazing the communities and friendships created thru blogs & social media -- how we meet people we would never have met otherwise.

[Linda Smith]

My daughters and I had Cheryl as a teacher, and we visited you on our visit to Paris! It was the highlight of our trip. She was a very special lady, teacher and friend. We are all so blessed for having known her! Thank you for this beautiful tribute! 🥰 Linda, Sarah and Chelsey

[Julie in Provence]

Hi Richard, Cheryl and I were friends on Facebook but I didn't really know her. I'm really happy to have read your touching profile and memories of your time together here. Carpe diem, my friend!