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.