Cathy Lynn Cheney Olaniyan

Cathy Lynn Olaniyan passed from this life into the arms of Jesus on September 22, 2026. She was born on April 4, 1958, to Boyd and Joann Cheney. She loved her family, music, baseball, horses and iced tea. She would ask for a horse every Christmas and birthday! A devoted daddy’s girl, Boyd taught her to ride, and she finally got that horse when she was a teenager.

A talented musician, she sang, played guitar, piano and several woodwind instruments. She attended Oklahoma Christian College and planned to major in music. However, when she took a class in political science and discovered you could argue for a living, her course changed! She graduated from OCC in 1980 and went on to attend OU School of Law graduating with a Juris Doctorate degree in 1985.

She married the love of her life, Akin Olaniyan in 1996 after a long friendship and courtship. They shared a love of family and God and made the perfect pair. When she accepted Akin’s proposal, he said he had won the only argument he ever wanted to win! They complemented each other perfectly. Together, they loved to travel (especially to San Francisco) and made a loving home that welcomed family and friends often. Faithful members of the Park Church of Christ, they taught Children’s Bible class, volunteered and were always willing to support whatever ministry they could.

Cathy devoted 35 years to Helmerich & Payne before retiring in 2025, and in that time she touched countless lives with both her remarkable legal talent and her genuine kindness. A brilliant attorney with a sharp wit and an even sharper mind, she had an uncanny ability to remember the details of contracts she had drafted decades earlier, often amazing colleagues with her knowledge and precision. She was a trusted advisor to many field employees and leaders, someone whose judgment was valued and whose counsel was sought time and again. Cathy had a commanding presence that naturally earned the respect of those around her, and she played an important role in helping leaders make thoughtful, sound decisions. But what many will remember most about Cathy was the way she made people feel. She was always willing to listen, offer thoughtful advice, or simply be there when someone needed a friend. Over the years, she became a mentor to so many, generously sharing her expertise, encouraging others to grow, and helping guide the careers of countless colleagues with patience and wisdom.

While she had a successful career, her favorite job was being an aunt to her nieces and nephews. She loved them all as her own and was always there to support, love, spoil and feed them and all their friends! She became a second mom to them and devoted herself to helping them succeed in whatever they tried. The second floor of Cathy and Akin’s home became a favorite place for all of them to go with all their friends who were all welcomed with the same love. Everyone should have an Aunt Cathy.

In the past few years, Cathy struggled with many health challenges, but she met those challenges with amazing strength and faith in God. It didn’t dampen her love for her family and her desire to participate in as many family occasions as possible often when it probably wasn’t the best thing for her health. Akin’s devotion to caring for her was an inspiration to all around them.

Her warmth, intelligence, humor and caring heart made her a beloved wife, sister, aunt, colleague and friend. Cathy leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion to God, her husband and family. She will be deeply missed by all who have the privilege of knowing her.

She was preceded in death by her treasured parents and a beloved niece, Jazmen Shaw. Those left behind to remember her are her devoted husband, Akin, brother, Mike Cheney, sister, Janet Stephens and brother-in-law Bob and her favorite people, her nieces and nephews and their children, Dineji Olaniyan and daughter Nala, Andy and Leslie Stephens, and children Henry and Casey, Matt and Megan Stephens and their children Peyton, Rex and Sloan.

We are all better for having known and loved her.