Dr. Cherylann Tuchman Bloom, of Fairfax, Virginia, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2022, after a two-year struggle with pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Murray Bloom, and their daughter, Sandra Bloom.
Dr. Bloom— “Cheri” to her friends—was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan on October 19th, 1944. Cheri graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in medical technology. After first working in the laboratory at Grant Hospital in Chicago, she took a position in Houston, Texas, with NASA and participated in the Apollo Space Program medical team during the moon landings. While at the Houston Space Center, Cheri operated a hematology lab, in which she analyzed blood samples taken from the astronauts before and after space flight.
Cheri later earned a master’s degree in pathology at the University of Texas, Galveston Branch. Subsequently, Cheri matriculated at the University of Houston, where she was awarded a Doctor of Optometry degree.
Cheri married Murray Bloom in Houston in 1983 and relocated to Northern Virginia. Cheri worked as an optometrist at several locations around Northern Virginia and D.C., specializing in low vision for the nearly blind.
Cheri followed several interests in her personal life. She was a long time member of the NOVA Annandale Symphony Orchestra, in which she played the violin. As a youth, she attended Interlochen music camp two summers in a row, each entirely by scholarship. This was her personal favorite achievement. After retiring, Cheri took fused glass classes at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton. She also audited several classes at George Mason University. Cheri enjoyed foreign travel to many places in Europe, but she especially enjoyed her trip to the Galapagos Islands.
Cheri made friends readily with people in many different aspects of her life. She will be remembered fondly by all and missed dearly.

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