Sweetheart, I am reminded daily by folks just how much your open expression of faith and love has so influenced and impacted the lives of those around you. And to that I will add. Especially mine.
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New content added August 17, 2008
Creating this memorial was a labor of love. Thanks goes to my twin brother, Dean, and my son, Phil, for their help in putting it together. – Dale
Hello!
Thank you for coming! I’m honored (and I’m sure Cyndy would be too) to know that you dropped by for a visit. This web page is our family’s attempt to share with you Cyndy’s memorial service and other special moments (both happy and sad) that took place at this time. Please be sure to say ‘Hi’ (post a tribute, or email) before leaving! Thanks!
Cyndy’s memorial service was held just 38 hours after her passing. The Meridian church was filled to capacity, with over 300 people attending. In the front of the church was a display of some of Cyndy’s favorite things. The service lasted for three hours, much of it taken up with friends and loved ones standing and sharing their memories of Cyndy.
Several videos and slideshows were shown during the service. All of them are available for you to view & enjoy here. (For security reasons, Cyndy’s maiden name is not mentioned in this web page. Thanks for understanding.) Again, thanks for coming. I hope you enjoy this memorial page as much as I have enjoyed putting it together! Please don’t leave before the surprise happy ending!
- Dale
As people arrived, memorial bookmarks were handed out, taking the place of traditional 3×5 folded mini-bulletins which usually end up in a photo album or trash can. Thank you, Margie, for providing these wonderful mementos of Cyndy’s life.
The eulogy was presented by Preston, Cyndy’s older brother. He shared several memories of her growing up and spoke of God’s granting Cyndy eight more event-filled years – and how we really don’t know what God’s plans are for us.
My sister-in-law, Vanessa Stucker, then read an essay written by Cyndy entitled “Who I am in Christ”. Cyndy wrote it while attending Multnomah School of the Bible in 1982. After reading it Vanessa took a moment and shared with everyone why Cyndy was such a bright spot in her life.
After the tributes I introduced a video named “Don’t Cry Out”. It is a stick-figure animation/music video of the song “Don’t Cry Out”, sung by a rock group named Shiny Toy Guns. Our son Phil created the animation using Microsoft Paint and Movie-Maker. (For those who don’t know, this is a Hurculean task.) As a junior in high school, Phil recently entered the video into a local film festival here in Boise. It won the animation category and the overall “people’s choice” award, beating out even College level entries. He started the project on a whim more than a year ago. As it took shape, I realized that the story it told reflected many of the feelings I felt towards our battle with Cyndy’s cancer: The escalating emotional struggles and methods associated with fighting the disease – along with its “ultimate solution” (and separation) – strikes me to the core every time I see it. I can’t count the times when I – just like the character in the video – felt like screaming out in frustration and anguish, only to find myself swallowing hard and holding on. As you watch the video, perhaps you can begin to see why it has such an impact on me. Perhaps it may strike a chord in you much the same way it does for me.
My Daughter, Cassandra, then read a poem entitled “Time To Say Goodbye”. The poem is actually the lyrics to a song originally written in Italian. When translated, these lyrics reveal very well how Cyndy and I felt as the end drew near, especially with respect to the lost opportunities of travelling this life together. Some time ago, Cassandra shared the song and lyrics with Cyndy and she loved it. Here are the lyrics.
You may wonder why the last image in the previous video was of Cyndy, me, Cassandra and a young man next to her. Well, that young man’s name happens to be Nathan Walter and this photograph was taken the day they announced their engagement to the world only a few weeks ago. Nathan and Cassandra first met, years ago, at Sis-Q Meadows Youth camp, where Nathan immediately fell in love with Cassandra. (Cassie took a little longer.) He recently moved to Idaho, found a job, and proposed to Cassandra. She accepted and the wedding was set for September 7.
I mentioned earlier that this story has a good ending. So, now it’s time to celebrate one of the happiest moments of Cyndy’s life – even though it ocurred only a few hours before her death. As you now know, Cyndy’s breast cancer had taken a significant turn for the worse. Knowing that time was short, all of her family and most of my family (and Cassandras future in-laws), came to celebrate the 4th of July with us at our home. Many were from out of state. On Friday the 4th, we had over 50 people at our home, visiting with Cyndy and lighting lots of fireworks. (We even had a visit from the local fire marshall – who let us go with just a warning.) We wheeled Cyndy’s bed next to the front window so she could watch all the action. She had a wonderful time – and wouldn’t have traded it for the world!
As Cyndy’s condition continued to progress we knew that there was still one peice of unfinished business that Cyndy wanted to see completed. Ever since she was first diagnosed with cancer, back in 2001, it had always been her wish to live long enough to see at least one of her children get married and see her duty and circle in life completed. With this in mind, Cassandra, Nathan, Cyndy and I had secretly invited Cassandra’s future in-laws (Tim & Peggy Walter) to come to Idaho to allow Cyndy to see her wish come true. Plans were made to have a private sacred wedding ceremony on Sunday morning – to be attended only by eight people. (Cassandra & Nathan, Tim & Peggy Walter, Cyndy & myself, pastor Monico Muffley and his wife, Martha.)
Saturday afternoon, we could tell that Cyndy probably wouldn’t make it to Sunday morning. So I called Dean (my twin brother) and asked hiim to come as quickly as possible with a recorder. Dean grabbed his camcorder and arrived to find the normally crowded house empty with the exception of the eight of us – nine including pastor Monico’s youngest daughter. Dean immediately realized what was happening, set up the camcorder and left. The rest of our guests who were staying at the house had “conveniently” taken all the kids to the park. (Thanks!)
We began the wedding ceremony at 9:00 pm. Now essentially too weak to move her limbs and unable to open her eyes for more than just a brief moment, Cyndy was still able to participate in the ceremony by puckering her lips for kisses and giving a fleeting smile when it came time for taking pictures. She even mouthed the word ‘cheese’ when everyone was commanded to do so. Shortly afterward everyone was invited back to the house and visiting continued to well past midnight. Less than five hours later Cyndy died in her sleep, knowing that a life-long goal of hers had been accomplished – to see one of her children getting married.
The very next day, Cyndy’s memorial service ended with a touching video montage of pictures from the wedding ceremony, followed by a presentation of the newly married couple and an invitation to the civil ceremony on September the 7th, 2008. (Lucky Kids – they get to celebrate two anniversaries!) After the applause ended, people left the service feeling that they had just attended both a memorial service AND a wedding!
Here is the wedding ceremony, set to Bett Midler’s The Rose.
There you have it. It is my pleasure to say that Cassandra and Nathan are now married in the sight of God and their parents. Cassandra and Nathan are currently living here in the Boise vicinity and are deep in the middle of preperations for their soon coming Civil ceremony in early September and have made plans to move back to the Willamette Valley in Oregon where Nathan has a job waiting for him at a local hospital and is anxiously awaiting acceptance to the much sought after Portland, Or firefighters academy. Please pray for them as the Lord directs their lives as they begin thier lifelong journey together.
At Cyndy’s request, the graveside service was limited to immediate family only. (Parents, Children, Siblings, inlaws and a few of the cousins.) The service was Messianic in nature and was quite short. An old Jewish mourners prayer and a Christian prayer were given and a shofar horn was sounded. (One short blast for birth, a long blast for life, another short blast for death, and one very long blast with a rising pitch at the end for eternal life.) White roses and blue lilacs (actually “butterfly bush” flowers) were placed on her coffin. A sealed photograph of our last family photo, as well as Cyndy’s last Survivors medallion for the Race for the Cure, was placed inside the coffin in the crook of her arm.
After the service, everyone soon left. To me the service was not yet quite finished. Dean stayed with me and, together, we watched as the casket was lowered… Now we can go home.
Thank you for taking the time to come and celebrate with me, just one more time, the full life of my soulmate Cyndy. I know that many of you would have loved to have attended the services but were unable. I hope this will suffice.
Please do write a line and say “Hi!”. (Click on the email or tribute links in this page. Your email address will be kept confidential. Only I will see it.) Feel free to share your thoughts & memories of Cyndy. I look forward to reading them!
Thank you …... Love to you all. – Dale
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Kent Severance |
Dale & Family, I haven't got words to express the emotions that I feel when I think of all you, Cyndy, and your children have experienced over the past years, but I will try. It's difficult to say good bye to someone you love and cherish, and have shared all your ups and downs, hopes, dreams, desires and disappointments. The one thing that helps me when I feel the despair and pain of having lost someone (like my own father) who was of the utmost importance to me in my life, I think of the life that was lived, the faith I was taught, but more importantly shown, and provider of all things, God Almighty, who has provided us with the plan of salvation.... I'm so thankful that I will have the opportunity to see him again..... in Gods Kingdom! Dale, it is my prayer that you continue in faith, knowing that you will one day be reunited with Cyndi, because of the life of faith that you lived together, and have shared with your children! Take care my friend and Brother...... you are in my thoughts and prayers! |
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Charla Collins |
Dale,
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Bruce Baldwin |
What a touching memorial to your loving wife. I can see that she was an extraordinary woman and you shared life with great joy and love. Thank you so much for sharing her with us all. |
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Kimberly and John-David |
Dale & Family, You have constantly been in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. The slide shows were very beautiful, and we are so happy for Cassandra and Nathan. It was such a blessing that your entire family was able to visit us last year in Ohio. We look forward to the next time our paths will cross, September 2008. |
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Lee and Becky Larson |
What a beautiful way to remember your life together! Thank you for sharing with all of us Cyndy's life and happy moments you shared and the video of Cassandra's wedding and the Memorial Service. I almost feel like we were there! God bless you and your family. We pray that God will wrap His loving arms around each of you and you will feel His presence in a very real way! |
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Calvin and Barb Burrell |
Dale, Both your and Cyndy's lives have touched ours in meaningful ways; we are grateful. From what I read and hear, you brought much love, joy, and peace to each other and to others --in ways that only eternity will reveal. May God bless you and your family (now including the Walter's) for the time ahead--without your beloved Cyndy. Calvin and Barb |
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Norman and Linda Caswell |
Dale and family, Thank you for sharing this memorial service and video of the life you shared with Cyndy. This was a blessing to us that we were able to feel like we were there. May God wrap His arm's around you now as you continue with your life serving Him. We pray for you comfort in the days ahead. May God bless you. Love, Norm and Linda |
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Stacy Silva |
Dear Dale and Family, I am sorry to hear of Cyndy's passing. I got to know her at Meridian Elementary. I have missed seeing her on the playground and at her corner on Pine. I will miss waving to her in the morning as I pull in to the school. Thank you for posting the pictures of Cyndy and your family. The tribute to Cyndy is beautiful. God bless you and your family. Stacy Silva Stacy,
Dale |
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Mark & Martha Ling |
Dear Dale: Our hearts go out to you because of the long, tough journey you've had over the last few years. God is so merciful, however, in giving strength and courage, and "time". Oh, how we treasure the "time" God gives us. Your tribute to Cyndy was so beautiful. We pray God will fill your "time" now, with the good memories, and heal your heart, and give you new memories to treasure with your children and son-in-law! God bless, Mark & Martha |
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Mike & Jane Meadows |
Dear Dale & family,
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Sandy Dow Reichhuber |
Cyndy and I are nearly the same age and we had some great times while we lived close to each other from 1976-1986 at which time I moved to Germany. I last saw her at Ryan Dow's wedding, a very happy event indeed. She was a wonderful person and will be missed by all, I can't wait to give her a big hug when our Lord returns to remove every tear. So sorry for your loss.
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