Cheryl Lin Reitz

Cheryl Lin (Gibson) Reitz, our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, died peacefully in her sleep on January 17, 2026. She leaves behind her children, Justin (Lindsay) Towne, Curtis (Kalynn Boritzki) Reitz, Brandon (Skyelar) Reitz, and Samantha Cavill. Cheryl was also the proudest Mimi to Michael and Henry Towne, Gunner Reitz, and Keira Cavill. Cheryl is also survived by her sister-in-law Lynn Gibson. <br /> <br /> We couldn't talk about those she left behind without mentioning her dearly loved princess pitbull/labrador dog daughter Lola, who was by her side until the very end. <br /> <br /> Cheryl was preceded in death by her mother Ginny, her brother Richard Gibson, her sister-in-law Minda Commire, her grandson Juniper Reitz. Cheryl was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jon Towne, in 2022. Every day since, she spoke of how she longed to see him again. <br /> <br /> Cheryl was born on March 25, 1968. Her determined single mother, Virginia "Ginny" (Baumgartner) Gibson raised her and her older brother in Plymouth, MI. She graduated from Plymouth-Canton in 1986 and went to beauty school for a time, before eventually training as a CNA and working at St. Mary's hospital for several years, before moving into private duty nursing. Later on she worked in retail, before beginning her career at the Amazon Distribution Center in Livonia, MI where she was a friend to all. <br /> <br /> Cheryl married the love of her life, Jon Towne, in 2007. Their love story began in 1984 at Cloverdale in Northville. Their love carried them through the best of times and worst of times as they settled down and raised their children in Novi, MI. Together, Jon and Cheryl enjoyed canoeing, camping, taking long drive in the country and spending time with their children and grandchildren. We like to think that her sudden departure was simply Jon finally coming to get her so they could head to a bonfire beyond the veil. <br /> <br /> Cheryl was a devoted mother to her own children and a "bonus mom" to many of her children's friends. Cheryl always cooked for an army; the habit of cooking for three growing boys never wore off, and she would prepare copious amounts of her famous taco salad, Mama's burgers, chili, and potato salad for guests and on holidays. She was an animal lover but especially loved to collect horses and wolves. She loved to watch crime shows like Law & Order, spoil her grandchildren, hang with her dog, and listen to country music with a cold beer. Cheryl hated cold weather and loved the sunshine. Cheryl will be remembered for her smile and for always being a shoulder to cry on. She was a friend to everybody she met. We know that wherever she is, she will be keeping her eye on us, like the all-knowing mother that she always was. <br /> <br /> We are comforted by the fact that Cheryl is now reunited with her husband, and with her mother, whom she missed dearly, and her brother who was also stolen from us suddenly. Wherever they are, we know it's a party. And to that point, we also know that wherever she is, it must be warm and comforting just like she was. <br /> <br /> To Cheryl and Jon, may they rest in peace, eternally in one another's arms. <br /> <br /> "Sweet days of summer, the jasmine's in bloom. <br /> July is dressed up and playing her tune. <br /> And I come home from a hard day's work, <br /> And you're waiting there, not a care in the world. <br /> See the smile awaitin' in the kitchen, food cookin' and the plates for two. <br /> Feel the arms that reach out and hold me, <br /> in the evening when the day is through. <br /> Summer breeze, makes me feel fine. <br /> Blowing through the jasmine in my mind." <br /> <br /> The celebration of life will be an open house from 2-6pm at the American Legion in Downtown Northville. We will have a short prayer service at 2:30pm. Memorial contributions may be made directly to Curtis Reitz, to help with funeral expenses and end-of-life arrangements.