Cynthia Louise Williams passed from this life February 11, 2024 while with the love of her life, Jerry Smith, and their beloved dog, Charlie after a long and tragic battle with triple negative breast cancer that returned to her lungs. She had the brief opportunity to say goodbye to a few loved ones. She left behind an indelible mark of compassion and wit. Her friends note Cindy was a sophisticated urban soul with a kind heart. She was bright and funny and never took herself too seriously, and that Cindy lived authentically, with a loving heart. She was a great presence in the lives of her friends, family and colleagues. We will continue to miss her and will cheerfully remember her opinions and her gestures of kindness. We already feel her smiling at us from where she is having tea with Queen Elizabeth II.

-   The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again. - Charles Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby

Cindy was born in Denver to Amy and William Williams and graduated from Alameda High School. She was intelligent, curious, hilarious and the most compassionate soul to grace this earth. A lifelong reader, she graduated from Metropolitan University with a BA in English Literature, and completed some Master's coursework from CU Denver as well. She particularly loved Victorian Literature and Jane Austen. Her passion for books and reading gave her a thoughtful approach to humanity and the people around her. She never looked down on anyone and always allowed others to be who they were without any judgment.

-   Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure - Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

She held a series of administrative jobs before finding her lifelong passion for nonprofits working for Regis University and Rose Community Foundation and then settling into Grant Writing where she helped raise millions of dollars for nonprofit organizations such as Seniors Resource Center, Beacon Center, Denver Hospice, and many more. Her grant applications were so beautifully written they often brought tears to their readers' eyes. Cindy worked hard throughout her career in nonprofits to support the mission of organizations that fought for those who needed a champion and kindness. Her intelligence made her keenly aware of the perils in the world and gave her the ability to craft words that encouraged others to offer the underserved support. Her greatest gift was her ability to connect with others, regardless of their backgrounds. Her grant proposals were successful due to her capacity to make donors feel their gifts were directly improving the lives of grantees.

-   No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another. - Charles Dickens

Though she met her husband, Jerry in high school, they did not become a couple until later in life and were together for the happiest 16 years of their lives. Jerry loved her deeply and felt their life together was without jealousy or strife and her presence in his life made his world meaningful and joyful. They adopted their yorkie, Charlie, from his previous owner who had to go into hospice thus completing their little family unit. The three of them enjoyed camping and cuddling on the couch while watching TV, and Jerry and Cindy loved to travel to different hot springs. Cindy loved music and was a huge Rolling Stones and Joni Mitchell fan. Jerry and Cindy particularly loved John Prine and they loved this line from In Spite of Ourselves, "...She's my baby, I'm her Honey...never going to let her go in spite of ourselves, we'll end up sitting on a rainbow in spite of ourselves, we're the big door prize." Jerry and Cindy loved to go to concerts and they enjoyed an eclectic array of musical talent.

-   We are stardust, we are golden, we are billion year old carbon, And we got  to get ourselves back to the garden. - Joni Mitchell

Cindy was hooked on progressive politics and enjoyed analyzing and debating the outcome of various "horse races" and their implications for the world at large. She was so kind and generous that she couldn't understand why a politician would knowingly harm anyone through regressive policies. It hurt her heart to read about strife anywhere in the world. Cindy cared greatly about animals and found canine companionship to be necessary and fulfilling. She was genuinely impressed with Jerry's knowledge of gardening and canning. She enjoyed describing all the fruits and vegetables he grew, and particulars about his green thumb. If you were fortunate enough to be called her friend, you felt blessed every time you shared a story with her. Cindy had broad interests and could discuss any subject intelligently. She listened intently, which is one of the marks of a great friend. Her loyalty to friends was unquestioned. One could always rely on Cindy as a confidante and as a colleague. Her word was golden. Cindy was blessed by a sense of humor that served her well during her long illness. She was laughing and joking 'til the end.

-   We age not by holding on to youth, but by letting ourselves grow and embracing whatever youthful parts remain. - Keith Richards, Life

She is survived by her husband, Jerry and their dog, Charlie, and her daughter Sarah Doyle. She was preceded in death by her mother Amy,  father William, and daughter Heidi Doyle.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to any charity of your choice in Cindy's name and please vote!!!