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Community mourns Navajo sisters who passed away due to coronavirus

Corrina and Cheryl Thinn both died after battling the virus in the month of April.
Credit: Family
PHOTO: (Left) Corrina Thinn, former Navajo Nation Police Officer, in uniform and on-duty. (Right) Cheryl Thinn and her son. Corrina and Cheryl were sisters that both served as public servants to the Navajo People. Both sisters passed away in April 2020 from the coronavirus

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Two sisters who dedicated their lives to helping people of the Navajo Nation passed away due to the coronavirus, the Navajo Nation Council announced this week. 

Corrina and Cheryl Thinn both died after battling the virus in April. 

“Both sisters served the Navajo Nation on the frontlines for the health and safety of our communities. On behalf of the Navajo Nation Council, I extend my deepest condolences to the friends and family of Corrina and Cheryl, each taken by the coronavirus," said Speaker Seth Damon.

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Corrina Thinn was an officer with the Navajo Nation Police Department for 11 years. She worked her way up to become a senior officer with the Tuba City District. 

After Corrina earned her master's degree in social work, she went on to work for Kayenta Health Center, Dzil Na’oodiłii Health Center, Davita Dialysis, the Hopi Health Center and the Navajo Nation Division of Social Services, in addition to working for various tribes throughout the state.   

Corrina leaves behind two sons, a grandson and granddaughter.

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Cheryl Thinn also chose to serve her community. She was a Navajo Nation juvenile detention officer and emergency medical service member. Cheryl also worked for the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation. 

Cheryl is survived by her son. His father passed away in January.

“As Ni’hookáá’ Bíla’ashdla’ii Diyin Dine’é, we look to our heroes for the guidance and teachings — Dinéjí na’nitin — to lead lives of courage and purpose. Corrina and Cheryl Thinn are our heroes that have given their lives in the course of duty. We thank them and pray that their service and memory lives on through us,” said Council Delegate Otto Tso.

Donations to the family can be made here

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