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Photo courtesy of Facebook.

Community Leader Cheri Fleming Dies

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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Community Leader Cheri Fleming Dies

11 comments

  1. Our deepest condolences to the Fleming family.

  2. A loss for SCV. I have admired her efforts for decades. The Mom of SCV. A life well lived. God Bless.

  3. This is just terrible news. Our condolences to the family. The heavens will be brighter with one more glorious star.

  4. Her sweetness. Her kindness. Her heart. Her smile. Her giving. Few can offer as much as Cheri gave of herself. Our world has lost an amazing woman. May she rest in peace.

  5. Truly a great loss for our valley. She gave of herself so freely straight across the board. Such a great role model for bd young woman showing them the path to success. Such a great loss. She lighting up all heaven. Condolences to Don because you will truly miss her daily. Peace to all the family.

  6. I always admired her and loved seeing pictures of them and their sweet dogs. Sincere condolences to her family. She was a treasure and will be truly missed??

  7. My condolences to Don and his family.
    I did not that she had been ill? Does anyone know if this was sudden?

  8. Our condolences to the Fleming family. May the good loard bring comfort to the family during this trying time.

  9. Dear Don please accept my condolences. I am so sorry for your loss. Her soul Rest In Peace with the name of Jesus.

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About Michael Brown

Michael Brown has lived in Santa Clarita his whole life. Graduating from Saugus High School in 2016, he continued to stay local by attending The Master’s University, where he achieved a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. Michael joined KHTS in January of 2018 as a news intern, and has since gone on to become the News Director for the KHTS Newsroom. Since joining KHTS, Michael has covered many breaking news stories (both on scene and on air), interviewed dozens of prominent state and federal political figures, and interacted with hundreds of residents from Santa Clarita. When he is not working, Michael enjoys spending time with his family, as well as reading any comic book he can get his hands on.