Cheryl Ann DORAIS

HOUGHTON - Cheryl Ann (Dorais) DePuydt, 54, of 904 Portage St. in Houghton, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on September 23, 2005. Cheryl was born on December 16, 1950, in Marquette to John and Yvonne (Ekstedt) Dorais. She attended St. Michael's Elementary School and Bishop Baraga Catholic High School in 1969. She graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1972 and was hired as the first full-time female staff member of the Michigan Technological University Athletic Department. On November 10, 1973, Cheryl married John Daniel DePuydt in Marquette.She perhaps is best known for her passion of figure skating that she loved and shared with everyone.In September 2004, Cheryl was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Cheryl is survived by her parents John and Yvonne Dorais of Marquette; husband John Daniel of Houghton; daughter Jennifer (Kurt) Spaulding of Garden City, Michigan; son Paul of Houghton and Texas; son Matt of Fort Benning, Ga.; three grandchildren; Christopher Saari, Michael Saari and Rachel DePuydt of Garden City; two step-grandchildren Megan and Catie Spaulding. Brothers Jay (Anna) Dorais of Boise, Idaho, and William (Diane) Dorais of Germany; sister Amy (Derek) Beiderwieden of DePere, Wis.; nieces Sara Jen Dorais, Kellie Dorais, Katie Dorais, and nephews Eric Dorais, Alex Dorais, William Dorais and Andrew Beiderwieden.She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents and a baby boy born Oct. 12, 1976. She is survived by several aunts, uncles and cousins.Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday evening and 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Monday morning at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in Houghton. A prayer service will be also be held at St. Ignatius at 7 p.m. Sunday. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday.Memorials in Cheryl's honor can be made to the American Cancer Society specifically to Hope Lodge at the Marshfield Clinic, the Copper Country Skating Academy scholarship fund, Omega House, Hancock Rotary Club and the MTU PE/IM Department. The Plowe Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.