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Lillian B. Cherrey | Receptionist, artist, 82

Lillian Bersh Cherrey, 82, of Upper Darby, a medical receptionist, singer and artist, died Wednesday at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania of complications from a fall at her home.

Lillian B. Cherrey
Lillian B. CherreyRead more

Lillian Bersh Cherrey, 82, of Upper Darby, a medical receptionist, singer and artist, died Wednesday at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania of complications from a fall at her home.

Mrs. Cherrey grew up in North Philadelphia. Her father, Michael Bersh, was a choirmaster in a synagogue, and from him she learned to appreciate music, especially opera. She graduated from Simon Gratz High School, where she sang in the chorus. During World War II, she worked for the Army Quartermaster Corps in Philadelphia.

In 1945 she married Morris Cherrey, an internist. For many years she assisted him in his offices in Upper Darby and Drexel Hill until he retired in 1991.

After marrying, she studied singing. She had a beautiful voice, her husband said, and sang with synagogue choruses until the 1970s. She also studied art and was a talented portraitist, he said.

She and her husband enjoyed dining at the Victor Cafe in Philadelphia and listening to opera singers who performed there. They encouraged the young singers, several of whom became friends, Dr. Cherrey said.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Cherrey is survived by a son, Robert; a daughter, Linda Reeser; and two sisters.

A funeral will be at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow at Joseph Levine & Son, 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall. Burial will be in Mount Sharon Cemetery, Springfield, Delaware County.