Cynthia Markwell

So many things can define a person... .their family, occupation, hobbies, etc. How do you wrap up 68 years of life in a few paragraphs? I will try to, because Cynthia (Cindy) Ann (Traxler) Markwell was more than a Mom, Sister, Aunt and friend.

Cindy was the oldest of four, being born just after the end of World War II, in Mansfield Ohio to Frank E. Traxler and Mary M. (Horning) on September 5, 1946. She was the oldest sister to Pam Beeman (Lyle), Dave Traxler (Brenda), and Jane Carver (Jim). Even though they were spread out over time, she loved all her siblings more than she could ever really express. And her nieces and nephews even more.

As the 1950's moved into the 1960's Cindy grew into a serious yet loving young lady who loved to read, played the clarinet, was an exceptional pool player, and had some wonderful friends, many she still has today. Cindy graduated from Madison High School in 1964.
In August 1966 Cindy married Billy Ray Markwell of Shelby, Ohio. As they settled into married life in Mansfield they longed to start a family and after of few years of trying they were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Vicki Lynn, their only child.

A few years later life moved her little family to Rockville Maryland, a suburb of Washington DC, where she would live for more than 14 years before moving her and her daughter back to Ohio (Cincinnati) where she lived until her passing.

Cindy worked in accounting for Lazarus Dept. Stores until 1990 when she was laid off. After that she spent some time in prayer and reflection and seriously considered becoming a Nun. In the fall of 1991, at the age of 45, instead of entering a convent, she enrolled in Xavier University, as a full time freshman.
Cindy became very active in college life, writing for the Xavier newspaper and being involved in the non-traditional students group. She maintained a high GPA through all 4 years, while working as a server at Frisch's. In 1995 she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Major in Theology and a Minor in Philosophy, she was 49 years old.

Cindy was a devout Catholic and very involved in her Parish, St. Susanna, where she was a member for over 27 years. Cindy was the person who led the charge to get a library opened at St. Susanna. That was one of the things she was most proud of in her Church life. She was also active in CRHP and was a member of one of the first teams at St. Susanna. She also taught CFP for a number of years.

Cindy was a lover of travel and counted her trips to Canada and Florida as her favorites, but New York and Southern California we pretty special too. She loved all animals, but mostly cats, and loved to tell stories of her cat's antics and personalities.

Cindy also loved nature... .from plants and flowers to pine cones and seashells, seashells being her most favorite. She loved the beach, the ocean, the sounds and smells of a place that made her feel calm and centered. A place she could see, feel and hear her Creator. She thought shells were so fascinating, each one different and unique, like people. All important to the big picture but also important alone, like a home for a critter or crab.
She loved Neil Diamond, Johnny Carson, and anything on TCM, especially the westerns. She loved Golden Corral, Servati Pastries and Chinese food. She loved meeting new people and making new friends. It's a good thing there are a lot of new people to meet in Heaven, but even better to be reunited with her parents, numerous aunts and uncles and former husband who all went before her.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her name to The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America at http://www.ccfa.org/