Lynnwood, WA - Cheri Yvonne Bartlett Sentman, was born in Harlan Iowa, June 9, 1928, to Marion and Ruth Bartlett. Cheri left this earth on February 11, 2023, at the age of 94, surrounded by family.

Cheri's upbringing was far from the norm, living most of her early years with grandparents and step-grandparents with her younger brother, Toby. From the eyes of a child though, she was loved and protected. Living with grandparents on a farm in Iowa and attending a one-room schoolhouse, everything changed when at the age of 11, she and her brother Toby (age 9) were put on a train alone to join their mother in Seattle. The other passengers on the train reported a horribly sad scene at the departure, watching everyone say goodbye.

Eventually, Cheri ended up in Spokane where she and Toby lived with step-grandparents. She graduated from North Central High School at the age of 16 and started working as a telephone operator. She then married Floyd Crowe and had 2 sons, Robert, and Tom. Cheri survived polio in her twenties when she was the mother of two small boys. Her tenacious and determined will drove her to swim mile after mile for physical therapy, giving her the strength to walk. This turned into a lifelong love of water that had her swimming 5 days a week until 2020.

After her marriage to Joe Sentman in 1957, they had 2 children together, Cheri and Chris. During their 32-year marriage, they moved many times and started their own investigation business "Sentman and Associates", which Cheri continued after Joe's death in 1989 until her retirement in 1993.

Cheri had a generous heart, spending 18 years volunteering for Hospice, the same organization that would comfort her in her final days. She was a prolific seamstress and spent hours sewing for family and friends, charitable organizations, and made hundreds of dresses for girls in Uganda. She found great joy in her friends and family, creating a wonderful life for herself. In her quiet and gentle way, she accomplished much with grace and ease. In her earlier years, she could host a dinner for 25 and never appear anxious or worried.

Her greatest joy was her family. Being surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren filled her heart. In 2015, 22 of her family members celebrated her in Maui for her 85th birthday. For years, she would express so much gratitude for that trip surrounded by family.

For the past 8 months, she lived at Chateau Pacific Assisted Living. We lovingly called it her "cruise ship", with the daily activities, beautiful meals. She loved it! After 2 years of near isolation due to the pandemic, she jumped into all the activities she could in her new home. Apparently, she is famous for her Wii-bowling skills, a fact that will delight us forever. The Chateau was the perfect place for her final days and her family is grateful for the love and care she received until her very last day.

We miss her greatly. Cheri was strong in every way. She was an amazing mom and grandma and showed us all how to be better humans.

She was predeceased by her parents, brother Toby, sister Marianne, husband Joe, and son Robert. She leaves behind her children Tom Crowe (Linda), Cheri Neil (Terry), Chris Sentman, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other beloved family.

When asked just weeks before her passing, if she could do anything, what would she do? She answered with one word "DANCE".

We know she is dancing now.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday 3/19/23 at 1:00 p.m.,

Lake Forest Park Civic Club 17301 Beach Dr NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155