A creative memorial is planned in Montreal on February 25which would have been Cheryl's 72nd birthday. The service willfeature The Grammy Award pianist and singer- JenniferGasoi. She is survived by her three sons- Andre,Carlos andMiguel Da Costa Frias. Cheryl died in December after her 12- year battle with myelomacancer in the brain which was diagnosed on her 60th birthdayin 2005. According to Miguel, she narrowly missed death four times and refused pain killers because she did not want hersenses to be affected. Miguel adds that she lived longer than anyone in recorded history with myeloma cancer in the brain. Born in Pakistan, Cheryl was offered a scholarship- at age 16-tothe world famous New York Julliard School of Music. She playedthe piano, the organ, the accordion and harmonica with equal versatility in addition to being a great artist, poet and writer. Following her last remission, she learnt jazz, formed her own bandand played to sold out crowds in the Griffintown part of the FrenchCanadian metropolis. And in 2008, she was bestowed with the unique honor of Montreal'sWoman of the Year for using art as a tool to fight women's rights allover the world. A Memorial Fund has been launched in her honor to preserve andpromote her legacy. A substantial amount has been collected. Inlieu of flowers, attendees at the Service have been requested todonate to the Fund. I met Cheryl in New Jersey some 15 years ago when she came down to launch her art exhibition in Manhattan, New York City. In a totally different capacity, I the father of her three children- Zach Da Costa Frias- who was visiting relatives. I believe, he is from Goa. Cheers. Tony Barros.New Jersey.
