CLEARLAKE PARK, Calif. – Rozann “Rozie” Cheek of Clearlake Park passed quietly on Saturday, June 14, 2014. She was 74 years old.
Rozie was born in Woodland to R. Milton and Wilma Russell. She and her sister, Robin Beck, grew up in the Capay Valley and she graduated from Esparto High School in 1957 and then attended California State University, Chico.
While visiting Lake County she enjoyed Clear Lake and married Ed Perdock. They lived in Clearlake Oaks and raised their children, Russell Perdock of Clearlake and Joene “Jo” Guasco of Etna.
As life took its turns Rozie returned to school, receiving her degree from Yuba College, Clearlake. She then began working at Burns Valley Elementary. She enjoyed watching many young people pass through the halls of BVS, to grow and become parents themselves and local leaders, but most of all her friends.
In 1978, she married Ernie Cheek and they spent many happy years together. They shared a respect and love for the members of the Lakeshore Fire Department. Rozie served on the Board of Directors for the LCFPD for 17 years. She often remarked how she “loved her boys” at the fire house and would on occasion work various shifts and attend their many training exercises.
Rozie loved her community and, though her health was poor, would often spend hours volunteering to support, plant flowers, collect trash and promote Clearlake and Lake County.
She served many groups and organizations like the Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge, Committee to Restore Clearlake, Lake County Fire Protection District, Congressman Mike Thompson’s Christmas Gift Program and many others.
She was very active in local issues, supporting many in Clearlake, wanting to help it grow and develop. She worked to build new parks, support bass tournaments, paint buildings and help clean up the business areas.
Rozie inspired many with the energy she brought to every event and program in which she was involved, particularly since she suffered daily from advanced rheumatoid arthritis. She was afflicted with the disease from the very young age of 14. Her RA was clearly evident and visible, yet she was tireless in her ability to push through her pain and wanted only to enjoy all that life offered her.
Rozie’s greatest joy was to be the grandmother of four grandchildren. She smiled most when she was with Alexa Perdock-May, Cody Perdock, Skylar Guasco and Riley Guasco, who will all miss her amazing spirit.
A celebration and remembrance of her life will be held at Lake County Fire Protection District, Station 70, Clearlake, on Saturday, July 19, beginning at 11 a.m. Friends are invited to join her family at this time of remembrance.
The family wishes to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to the many friends who helped her as she struggled with a debilitating injury and then cancer in the last two years of her life.
They would also like to express gratitude to those at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, who made her last days with her family so special.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the following organizations:
- Arthritis National Research Foundation, 200 Oceangate, Suite 830, Long Beach, CA 90802; telephone 800-588-2873; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ;
- Stand Up to Cancer, 1801 W. Olympic Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91199-1224; telephone 888-907-8263; http://www.standup2cancer.org/ways-to-donate .
Arrangements by Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel, Lower Lake, telephone 707-994-6417.