Obituary: Cheryl Anne Penn Manfredi Skeen

For The Madera Tribune

Cheryl Anne Penn Manfredi Skeen.

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Cheryl Anne Penn Manfredi Skeen passed away on May 25, 2026, in Madera, CA. Born on May 9, 1950, in Sydney, Australia to Betty and Wayne Kilowsky, Cheryl was immediately adopted by Charles and Sadie Penn, for which she was forever grateful. Her parents gave her the best life possible in Vaucluse, a suburb of Sydney on South Head where Macquarie Light and the huge Southern Cross watched over her by night and the Pacific’s ceaseless wash against the cliffs was a lullaby.

A graduate of Vaucluse Public and later of SCEGGS Darlinghurst, Cheryl received an excellent education aided by her Nana Dach who ignited her imagination by searching for faeries as she learned to identify flowers and herbs, and by her mother, a talented pianist and needleworker who filled the house with music. Travels to Asia, the USA and Africa opened her eyes to the great diversity of life and to the plight of those less fortunate. Her father, a Master Cabinetmaker, taught her not only patience, but a great respect for all forms of life; all should be treated with dignity and compassion.

Cheryl matriculated from Metropolitan Business College, Sydney and later became Executive Secretary to the Engineering Department at United Vintners, later becoming an intake worker at Madera County Welfare.

In 1969 she became pen pals with Stell Manfredi who was serving a tour in Vietnam, coming to Sydney on R&R. After discharge, they married and returned to Madera where they had a daughter, Tasha. Following their divorce, Cheryl could not return to her beloved Australia without leaving her daughter. Her devotion to her children had no bounds.

Cheryl’s family believed in a life of service — that one’s purpose was to make the world a better place. When an EMT class was offered, she attended and met John Jay (JJ) Skeen whom she married. She became a step mum to his son, Daniel, and later she and JJ adopted a daughter, Jacqueline Sara. As had her mother and grandmother before her, Cheryl volunteered for Red Cross, being one of the first responders with JJ to the Coalinga Earthquake.

As JJ had a background in agriculture, their children were very active in 4-H where Cheryl became Community Leader of Sierra Shadows, teaching food preservation, rabbits, goats, needlework and baking while JJ headed the sheep group. She was elected Leader of the Year in both 4-H and Golden Valley Girl Scouts and was head of the PTA at Millview School.

Her favorite job however was as Tour Guide at the Pizza Farm where she taught the importance of farming and ranching to hundreds of children each year. Igniting the spark of curiosity and wonder in a young mind was an unforgettable experience — to marvel at the smallest thing and to want to know more.

A true Yiddishe Momma, Cheryl’s boundless love embraced all — from her grandchildren whom she adored to the many animals who made their way to Red Gum Ranch. All were welcome and none left hungry or in need of affection. Cheryl was a Renaissance woman — an excellent cook, avid gardener and canner, talented knitter and embroiderer, an artist and poet.

Her strength came from her Australian upbringing and her observance of Judaism which guided her to live an honorable, useful life and to walk humbly with her God. She loved her sunburnt country dearly.

Cheryl will be greatly missed by JJ, her husband of 42 years, by her daughters, Tasha Manfredi-Garlick (Bill), and Jacqueline and her stepson, Daniel Skeen (Jolene) and her grandchildren — Latigo, Bay and Ryde Garlick, Aiden and Paige Skeen and Dana and Michael Matson and children Madison and Beniah of PA. She leaves behind birth brothers David Kilowsky and Tyson Seehaus of Australia, cousins, nieces and nephews and many friends, including her spoilt goats and cats.

May her memory be for a blessing!

A Graveside Service will be held on June 1, 2026, at 11 a.m., at Beth Israel Cemetery, Fresno, CA.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Madera County 4-H Leaders Council at C/O Madera County 4-H Youth Development Program, 145 Tozer St., Ste. 103, Madera, CA 93638, Madera County Animal Shelter & Services at 205 Tozer St., Madera, CA 93638, or Temple Beth Israel at 6622 N Maroa Ave., Fresno, CA 93704.

Services under the direction of Yost and Webb Funeral Home.