Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Luba Cherry |
| Estimated Birth Year | 1955 |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Heritage | Ukrainian |
| Nationality | American with longstanding residence in Canada |
| Current Residence | Mississauga, Ontario |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Don Cherry |
| Year of Marriage | 1999 |
| Children with Don Cherry | None reported |
| Stepchildren | Cindy Cherry (1957 to July 15, 2024), Tim Cherry (born circa 1963) |
| Known For | Second wife of Don Cherry, supportive partner with a private lifestyle |
| Occupation | Homemaker and family support, no public career documented |
| Public Presence | Low profile, rarely appears in media |
| Notable Personal Notes | Dislikes public attention, protective of family privacy |
| Recent Mentions | 2025 comments on Don Cherry’s feud with Ron MacLean; family tributes around Cindy Cherry’s life and book release |
Early Life and Background
Luba Cherry’s early years are mostly forgotten, both by choice and circumstance. Born about 1955 in the US to Ukrainian parents, she has never discussed her childhood, education, or employment. That absence says Luba prefers a tranquil existence. She has shared some of her ancestry in biographies and tales, but she prefers to let her story be felt.
Meeting Don Cherry and a Late 1990s Beginning
Late 1990s marked a tipping point. Luba met Canadian sports legend Don Cherry at a hockey dinner with her brother, who had recently lost his first wife, Rosemarie, in 1997. They connected instantly and lasted. In 1999, they married. Don joked at public events that Luba was sometimes mistaken for his daughter due to their age difference. He wore the jokes, she wore the attention awkwardly. They progressed together.
A Blended Family and a Private Home
Luba joined an established family by marrying Don. Don had adult children Cindy and Tim from his first marriage. No Luba-Don children have been reported. Luba has been solid and uncomplicated in this blended family. She helps, listens, organizes, and protects. Home base has been Mississauga, Ontario, providing routine and refuge for years. Luba’s preferences and safety important, so the family amended their Wolfe Island property sale in 2019 after a highway worry.
Life in the Spotlight’s Shadow
Early on, the public realized Luba dislikes lights. When needed, she has attended events and appeared in Don’s life dramatizations, including the 2010 CBC miniseries. However, her statements and interviews are infrequent. The image is of a lady who expresses herself privately in kitchens, drives, and late-night calls. Even Don credits her with stimulating ideas and perspective, whether by digging up old cassettes that rekindled his excitement in 2011 or by pushing him to refocus in 2017.
Public Moments and Media Footprints
Luba avoids cameras, although public currents sometimes carry her name. Don’s November 2019 departure from Hockey Night in Canada after inflammatory comments caused the biggest wave. Luba was there after the storm, balancing protection and silence. She made an uncharacteristically forthright comment in July 2025 following a rekindled spat between Don and his old co-host Ron MacLean, saying MacLean was not welcome in their home. The brief, pointed message was out of character for a quiet person.
Family Ties: Cindy and Tim
Family life for Luba has been supporting Don and loving his kids. Cindy Cherry, born in 1957, died of a short illness at 67 on July 15, 2024. Grief was deep. The Don Cherry Story, By His Daughter, co-authored by Cindy before her death, was published in April 2025. Family tributes noted Luba’s continuous presence. Hockey scout Tim Cherry, born circa 1963, has been active in Don’s business and podcasting. Luba has been there for family transitions and personal milestones.
Recent Years: 2024 to 2026
From mid 2024 through 2026, Luba’s world has revolved around family, remembrance, and the quieter rituals of daily life.
- July 15, 2024: Cindy Cherry passes away at 67.
- April 2025: The Don Cherry Story, By His Daughter is released, drawing attention back to the family narrative and Luba’s supportive role.
- June 2025: Don retires from podcasting, with Luba encouraging his instinct to stay busy and purposeful.
- July 2025: Luba publicly aligns with Don during his dispute with Ron MacLean, barring MacLean from their home.
- October 2025: Don receives the King Charles III Coronation Medal, marked by private celebrations that include Luba.
The rhythm has been alternating grief and tribute, then turning toward quieter days. On social media, Luba is not present. Mentions of her name are largely secondhand, in posts about Don, in condolences for Cindy, or in occasional references to her background.
Timeline of Key Events
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1955 | Estimated birth in the United States to a Ukrainian family |
| Late 1990s | Meets Don Cherry at a hockey banquet attended with her brother |
| 1999 | Marries Don Cherry |
| 2010 | Depicted in a television miniseries about Don’s life |
| 2011 | Encourages Don by revisiting old tapes of his work |
| 2017 | Provides candid feedback that shapes Don’s on-air approach |
| 2019 | Don exits Hockey Night in Canada; family reportedly sells Wolfe Island property after a highway scare |
| 2024 | Cindy Cherry dies at 67 on July 15 |
| 2025 | Cindy’s book releases in April; Don retires from podcasting in June; July feud remarks; October medal recognition |
Finances and Lifestyle
There are no accurate Luba net worth estimations. Homemaker, she has no independent career. Don’s hockey, television, and auxiliary earnings have been reported in the eight figures, with joint assets including their Mississauga home. Lifestyle is less important than habit. Their lives revolve on schedules, family, and simple rituals away from studios and spotlights.
Public Perception and Personality
Luba is reserved, devoted, and sometimes fiercely protective of her house. She avoids publicity and rarely interviews. However, her remarks hold the weight of someone who saves them for vital moments. Luba closes the doors against the wind, speaks sparingly, and keeps the glue in the seams in a house full of hockey history.
Rumors, Gossips, and Reality
Luba rarely retains gossip. Her name generally surfaces when Don speaks, writes, or debates. She is not on social media or in gossip columns. Restraint recurs. Family safety, support during scandals, and her uneasiness with the public eye are her infrequent public comments. Luba’s choice of invisibility in a world that values exposure has established her public image as much as any news.
FAQ
Who is Luba Cherry?
Luba Cherry is the second wife of Canadian hockey figure Don Cherry, known for maintaining a quiet, private life.
When did Luba and Don Cherry marry?
They married in 1999 after meeting at a hockey banquet in the late 1990s.
Does Luba have children with Don Cherry?
No children from their union are reported; she is stepmother to Cindy and Tim from Don’s first marriage.
Where does Luba Cherry live?
She resides in Mississauga, Ontario, sharing a home with Don Cherry.
What is Luba’s background and heritage?
She was born around 1955 in the United States and is of Ukrainian heritage.
Is Luba Cherry on social media?
No, she does not maintain public social media accounts.
What is known about her career or net worth?
There is no record of an independent career or separate net worth; she is described as a homemaker and supportive partner.
How has Luba handled public controversies around Don Cherry?
She generally avoids public comment but in July 2025 stated that Ron MacLean was not welcome in their home amid a feud.
What recent family events involved Luba?
She supported the family through Cindy Cherry’s passing in July 2024 and took part in tributes around the April 2025 book release.
What is her public reputation?
She is regarded as private, loyal, and protective, with minimal public exposure and few rumors attached to her name.
