Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful.
Obituary
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Cheryl Diane Bailey, who was born on September 24, 1966 and passed away on May 12, 2026 in Franconia, NH.
Cheryl lived a life defined by an unshakeable love of the outdoors, a fierce devotion to her family, and a spirit so bright and free that everyone around her felt its warmth. She was, in every sense, someone who chose to live fully, joyfully, and without reservation.
New Hampshire was Cheryl's happy place, and Franconia, where she spent the last years of her life, was home in the truest sense. The mountains, the rivers, and the trails were her cathedral. She was the kind of person who would rather catch first chair at Loon Mountain than sleep in, and who thought the best possible day began outside, whether that meant kayaking down the Pemi, swimming at the Cascades, chasing lupines in Sugar Hill each June, cross-country skiing at the Mount Washington Hotel, or biking from Cannon Mountain to Loon. She loved the water, she loved the mountains, and she loved the quiet magic of the season between fall and winter on a trail like Serendipity.
Cheryl was a free spirit in the most beautiful sense of the word. Happiness was the main ingredient of her life. Her laugh was always the loudest in the room — a warm, all-encompassing sound that felt like a hug. Growing up with Cheryl meant every day was an excursion, every ordinary moment a potential adventure. She turned nothing into something, whether that was a spontaneous beach trip, an afternoon of board games in a snowstorm, a backyard game, or a meal she had coaxed into existence with love and creativity. She had a gift for making the people around her feel seen, special, and deeply cared for.
She had an enduring obsession with animals of all kinds, dogs, owls, bears, and moose and a soft spot for goats, too. Throughout her life she opened her home and heart to adopted dogs, who were as much a part of the family as anyone. Music moved her. She loved being by the water. Grease was one of her favorite movies. She knew how to bargain hunt like it was a competitive sport, and she passed that skill on with pride. She worked at Loon Mountain because she wanted her kids and friends to have the joy of skiing at their fingertips — that was Cheryl: always thinking about how to make life better for the people she loved.
Healthcare was Cheryl's profession, and caring for others was her calling. She gave that same fierce, tireless energy to her advocacy work with NAMI New Hampshire, fighting alongside those who needed someone in their corner, including her own son Patrick, for whom she worked tirelessly to secure the help he needed. She fought for good her whole life, and she did it with courage, grace, and a love that never wavered.
Above all else, Cheryl was a mother. She loved hard, she played hard, and she never gave up on any of her children. She was their greatest advocate, their loudest laugh, their push to get outside when the world felt heavy. She showed them beautiful places they will always return to, taught them that the simple things are the best things, and reached out every time they retreated. She was the light.
Cheryl is survived by her children: Danielle Dowling (35), Richard (Dickie) Dowling III (34), Patrick Dowling (32), and Drew Dowling (30); her grandchildren Ryan Dowling (6), Brooklyn Dowling (3); her siblings, Lynn Bailey (62), David Bailey (65) and Brian Bailey (44); and her mother, Linda (Lynn) Mulligan (86).
A Celebration of Life will be held in her memory. Details to follow.
You loved hard, you played hard, and you never gave up on any of us.
Love you always and forever.
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To view video from Cheryl's life click the link below
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To those who knew her, she was joy in motion. To her four children, she was love in its purest form. Her departure leaves an ache that words can barely touch, but also a legacy of laughter, tenderness, and moments that will be cherished forever.
We hope she has found peace a gentle, quiet place where her spirit can rest. And we ask that she keep watch over the children who loved her so deeply. Their lives were shaped by her light, and they will miss her always.
May she rest in peace.
Her smile radiated warmth, her eyes twinkled when she smiled, her laughter filled every space with joy, and her love and spirit were deep, beautiful, and contagious.
Danielle, Dickie, Patrick, and Drew — my heart is broken for the loss of your mom. You were, and always will be, her heart and soul. She beamed with pride whenever she spoke about each of you, and she would have walked to the ends of the earth for her children.
Lynn — Cheryl adored you and loved you beyond words. Everything you have done for your sister was never lost on her. She was so grateful for your love, your support, and the care you have always given both her and her children.
I will miss my dear best friend Cheryl — my biggest cheerleader, my partner in crime, and my soulmate. The lifetime of memories we shared will live in my heart forever, until we meet again.
My prayers are with all of you, and words cannot fully express the depth of my sadness and sorrow. May sunshine and peace watch over you all.
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