Longboat Key Obituaries

Cheryl Stark

Cheryl Stark, 70, died Jan. 2.

She was born in Brooklyn and raised in Scarsdale, N.Y. She studied silversmithing and jewelry at The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston for four years.

For a few years she divided her time between making and selling jewelry in Vineyard Haven, Mass., and working her booth on 47th Street in New York City’s diamond district during the off season.

She is best known as the founder of CB Stark Jewelers, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. In 1969, she moved to Martha’s Vineyard full time. With the help of her staff and longtime partner, Margery Meltzer, her jewelry store became famous for its Martha’s Vineyard jewelry, which has more than 500 original designs and won Martha’s Vineyard Magazine’s Best Jeweler award for 21 consecutive years.

She was an avid sea glass collector and loved walking on the beach. She played bridge and canasta and loved watching birds.

Cheryl and Margery helped build their home in the West Tisbury woods where they lived together for almost 45 years. They spent their winters on Longboat Key where they resided in Sleepy Lagoon for almost 25 years.

Cheryl supported several organizations on Martha’s Vineyard including Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group, Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and Vineyard House.

She is survived by her partner, Margery; sister Renee Stark; godson Joshua Kochin; many nieces and nephews; and her devoted CB Stark Jewelers staff.

Memorial donations can be made to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Infusion Services, P.O. Box 1477, Oak Bluffs, Mass., 02557.

Gloria Hanrahan

Gloria Hanrahan, 82, of Sarasota, died Feb. 10.

She was born and raised in Brooklyn where she graduated from Catherine McAuley High School and Packer College.

While growing up, her favorite moments were spending time with her grandmother after school, going to Coney Island and the beach with friends and vacationing with her family in the Poconos.

She had a career with Kennecott Copper Corp. in Manhattan and worked in real estate in the 1980s while raising her four children with her husband, James.

The couple spent their 58 years of marriage living in London, New York and New Jersey and retired to Longboat Key in 1989.

Gloria enjoyed traveling, collecting antiques and playing bridge.

She was preceded in death by James.

She is survived by her daughters Maureen Collins and Karen Sirkin; son Matthew Hanrahan; their spouses; six grandchildren; and her brother, William Salmon.

Memorial donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association at donations.diabetes.org

Gayle Preiser

Gayle Preiser, 79, of Longboat Key, died Feb. 16.

Robert Schwartz

Robert Schwartz died on Feb. 2, his birthday.

He was a longtime resident of Longboat Key, East Hampton, N.Y., and New York City. After a successful career in business, he retired and enjoyed time with his family. He loved to travel, cook and collect art.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; children John and Linda; four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter.