Jennifer Lyn Cheek

Jennifer Lyn Cheek, 56, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 6th, 2025 after a long illness.  

Jenny was born in Cincinnati, OH and spent her childhood in Paducah, KY before moving to Frankfort, KY in 1989, where she met her future husband, Jeff, her first week in town. She was a graduate of Saint Mary’s High School in Paducah, KY and The University of Mississippi.  She worked twenty years in state government, mostly for the Department of Revenue, before retiring due to her illness in 2012. 

 She is survived by her husband of 33 years, William “Jeff” Cheek; son, Ryan Cheek, and daughter, Taylor (Justin) Defler.  Jenny also leaves behind her mother, Barbara Utter, of Frankfort, KY; sisters Marianne (Jeffrey) Heath, of Fairfield, OH, and Laura (Angel) Negron, of Frankfort, KY; brothers Jim (Lorah) Utter, of Stephenson, VA, and Steve (Candace) Utter of Livermore, CA, in addition to many nephews and nieces and four great-nephews, whom she adored. 

Jenny was an amazing daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, and friend.  She loved being a mom to Ryan and Taylor most of all. She was so proud of their accomplishments and the young adults they had become. When not spending time with Jeff and the kids, she prioritized spending time visiting with family across the county. Jenny had a wonderful sense of humor and always had a smile on her face. She embraced experiences with friends and family, always suggesting adventures out, whether it be trying new restaurants or cheering at sporting events. She enjoyed traveling and being outdoors hiking, gardening, and playing with the kids. She was a faithful member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Frankfort, KY. 

Jenny was preceded in death by her father, James W. Utter, of Frankfort, KY, and sister, Kathy (Stephen) O’Connor, of Hillsboro, MO. 

Memorial arrangements for Jennifer are as follows:

Visitation will be held at Clark Legacy Center, Versailles Rd, in Frankfort, KY, on Thursday, January 16, 2025 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm.  

The Funeral Mass will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church at 10:30 am on Friday, January 17, 2025. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Garden in Frankfort, KY. Serving as pallbearers will be Jennifer’s nephews Marcus Negron, Lukas Negron, Joe Cheek and Nick Heath and brothers-in-law, Stephen O’Connor and Jeffrey Heath.

The family would like to extend tremendous gratitude to the many hospice nurses, aids, and all caregivers and family who assisted in her care.