Former Santa Clarita Woman of the Year and Valencia Acura co-owner Cheri Fleming passed away on Monday.
After moving to southern California from Ohio, Cheri opened a successful tanning salon in the Woodland Hills area. She worked closely with Donald “Don” Fleming during that time, and in 1984 the two were married, and moved to the San Fernando Valley.
Don and Cheri Fleming of Valencia Acura, Title Sponsor of the Soroptimist International of Greater SCV fashion show. Photo by Michele E. Buttelman.
In 1997, the two purchased the Valencia Acura car dealership, building it up from “dead last nationally” to one of the highest-ranking dealerships for customer satisfaction in the country.
Some of the notable positions of leadership that Cheri held within the Santa Clarita Valley include:
- Director and Vice Chair of Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital
- Director and Past Chair of the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Health Foundation
- Member and Past President of Soroptimist International of Santa Clarita Valley
- Regional Governor-Elect of Soroptimist International Camino Real Region
- Director and Chair of the Child and Family Center Governing Board
- Director and Immediate Past Chairman of the Child and Family Center Foundation
- Director of The Roar Foundation Advisory Board
- Director and Chair-Elect of the American Cancer Society Unit Council (2004 and 2005 “Relay for Life” Co-Chair)
- Vice President on the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Imaging Center Advisory Board
- Co-Chair for the Boys & Girls Club Auction (2004, 2005 and 2006)
- Arthritis Foundation Walk Chair – 2006
- Director of the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealer Association
Cheri was named the Santa Clarita Valley “Woman of the Year” in 2004. Don was named the Santa Clarita Valley “Man of the Year” in the same year, marking only the second time in 40 years that a husband and wife had shared the award in the same year.
See Related: College Of The Canyons To Honor Don, Cheri Fleming With ‘Silver Spur’ Award
“I think very few true volunteers are looking for recognition for their efforts. Being able to volunteer is a great gift in itself,” Cheri said at the time. “I always feel that I’m receiving so much more than I’m giving. However, to be a Woman of the Year in Santa Clarita is an amazing honor.”
In 2012, Cheri was named the “Woman of the Year” by the Los Angeles County 5th Supervisorial District and Commision for Women, and in 2017 she was named the “Volunteer of the Year” by the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.
Then, in 2019, both Cheri and Don were named the recipients of the “Silver Spur” community service award by College of the Canyons for their involvement in higher education.
“Don and Cheri Fleming’s visionary leadership and entrepreneurial spirit have truly made a difference in the Santa Clarita Valley,” COC Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook said at the time. “Cheri’s hands-on leadership and philanthropy and inspiring, and Don’s involvement with the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation, has positioned Santa Clarita as a business-friendly city. The college has been incredibly fortunate to count on them as friends and supporters over the years.”
Cheri is survived by her husband Don and her three stepchildren.
“Cheri was a jewel in our valley,” said Carl Goldman, co-owner of KHTS. “She’d walk in a room and instantly brighten it, always with a smile.”
“We’ve been friends with Cheri and her husband Don since they first bought Valencia Acura,” added KHTS Co-Owner Jeri Seratti-Goldman. “She was a leader, contributing so much for the good in Santa Clarita. Our hearts are broken.”
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