Cynthia Lee-Ann (Cindy) Strachan

July 12 1961 – August 14, 2020

 

Cynthia Lee-ann (Cindy) Strachan passed away in the early hours of August 14,

2020 at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital. She leaves to mourn, her

parents, June (Joan) & Charles Strachan, brother Jeffrey Strachan,(Heather),

Cary Strachan (Barb)(Fonthill, On.) Stephen Strachan, (Danielle), nieces &

nephews Tamara Sutherland, John Sinclair, Joelle Strachan, Steven Strachan,

Dylan Strachan, Jory Strachan, Keisha Strachan, & Waverly Strachan; Great-

nieces & nephews, Makayla, Sara, Liam, Magnus, Allistair, Sora, Carsynn, Aunts

Lilly Duncan, and Velda Gugulyn, as well as many cousins.

 

Cindy was born with Down's Syndrome, but she managed to learn many skills,

reading, printing, coloring with the many coloring pens she had squirreled away;

swimming, mini golf, cross country skiing, bowling, dancing, loved singing, music

of almost any type, partying & meals out. We knew she had self-esteem when,

one day while we were shopping, a little boy kept staring at her. She noticed

this & asked why he was staring. I explained that perhaps it was because she

looked a little "different", & she quickly said "I guess I look pretty good today".

Cindy also learned how to get on a bus, & looked forward to seeing her favorite

bus driver, Gus every day. She took part in local, provincial, & national Special

Olympics, amassing a huge number of medals—gold, silver, bronze, as well as

ribbons, & participation awards. To her, the Banquet, Dance & Awards

presentation following the sports, was the best thing in the world! She even

met, personally, Shania Twain in Timmins at a Winter Games venue, and never

let you forget that. Kudos to Garry Socholotuk & Vicki Hawkins and all other

volunteers through the years, who assisted, encouraged & travelled with the

athletes to the various venues, and spent many hours supervising bowling &

swimming, etc. every winter.

 

Cindy had attended Kinvalley School until the age of 18, then learned work skills

at ARC Industries, & Options for Adults, and was employed by RBC, Sutcliffe's,

L.W.D.Hospital, etc., doing the job she loved best – shredding. She was the only

person we knew who hated long weekends. Many thanks to Kenora Assoc. for

Community Living for the many ways they have helped her along the way and

right to the end. Also thanks to the caregivers who looked after her after she

was diagnosed with Alzheimers' in 2014 and went to live in a "group" home, as

well as supporting her at the hospital, feeding, caring & being there for her—

Karen, Roxanne, Sue .1, Brittany, Michele, to name a few. Thanks too, to her

Doctor Brian Bowerman; Doctors, Nurses, and others at the hospital who

looked after her, both in the ER and on the 3rd floor — we appreciated it all.

Rest in peace, Cindy, we love you.

 

Due to Covid 19 there will be no service. Private family gathering at a later date

at the Columbarium. Alcock Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. If you so

wish, donations may be made in memory of Cindy, to the Kenora Association

for Community Living, or L.W.D.Hospital Foundation.