Obituary of Cindy Malkinson

Cindy Malkinson, a resident of Dawson Creek, B.C. passed away on Monday, March 25, 2013 in Dawson Creek at the age of 52 years. Cindy's love and faith motivated her, they guided her actions and were part of the foundational role that she was able to play in all of her relationships. She went out of her way to remember those of even coincidental relations, never spoke ill of anyone, and always made an effort to make people laugh. Cindy's love was a palpable quality of being in her presence. Her relatable and down to earth conduct made all feel included. It's fruitless to say that Cindy ever knew the absence of love; it was what surrounded her on July 28, 1960 when she was brought into this world, and it was in the air when she married Dennis in May of 1987. In spite of the seemingly overwhelming physical afflictions that befell her in the last few years, Cindy instead remained steadfast and often joyful, greeting everyday with a 'bring it on' attitude. That attitude, speaks number to Cindy's character. Character and humor were two things that Cindy did not lack, along with her strong faith and family values. Sports played a big part in Cindy's younger years. She was a figure skater in Fort Nelson and it was there that she started playing ladies fastball. Cindy even played on a team with her mother Birdie. Cindy would later move to Texas and work as an nanny for the Williams family, a family that continued contact with her and sent her family Christmas cards for 30 years after she left. When it was time for her to leave Texas and come home, Cindy's route took her through Dawson Creek where she got asked to play ball. As one of their games got underway and Cindy was up to bat, the peanut gallery sitting in the dugout started singing, "The stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas". From that moment on, Cindy became known more commonly to her fellow teammates as 'Tex'. Tex's faith stayed strong with her no matter where she was. It may have been summer during a fastball tourney or winter time at a broomball tournament, but come Sunday, she would be off in search of the Catholic Church to attend service or mass and then was back with the team to play the sports she loved so much. God granted Cindy the serenity and strength to accept the things she could not change; never once in fourteen years did she take exception to her situation, never once did she feel sorry for herself. Aside from stories of people expressing well wishes, it was recollections of dreams where Cindy was better or healthy that seemed to energize her most. The best was yet to come for Cindy. She was always on the upswing, resilient and ready to come back. She was not ignorant of realities in her constant attempts to recover, instead she wisely forged ahead, and knowing the effect her energy had on herself and others close to her. Happiness was a state of mind to Cindy, "Some of the poorest people in this world are the happiest." Even though it was less than ideal, she made the most of living in Rotary Manor, always giving the care aids attitude and making them second guess what they were doing only to make them realize she was just teasing them. Cindy was always actively searching for new challenges, always participating in clever new ways. As a result, she took a lot out of life. Her professional pursuits that were as assorted as a telephone operator in Fort Nelson, or a very dedicated and passionate sales woman of Mary Kay products, or a governess in Texas; and the community pursuits she engaged in, such as being a member of the Catholic Women's League, involved as a member of the Notre Dame Council, temporary involvement in the Rotary Manor Resident Council and as was said earlier, playing and coaching numerous sports. She was a constant overachiever and forced that characteristic onto her children. She was a super mom. One year she took her four kids to piano, recorder lessons, girl guides, speed skating, baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer and hockey; if we ever wanted to do something she found a way to get her children into it. She was very supportive, half the time she ended up coaching them as well. These sports often took the family to various towns and cities all over B.C. and Alberta. Cindy always had to stop and see the many relatives and friends in these towns, if you were home they had many great visits and story sharing. Cindy employed these valuable qualities with such consistency and steadiness that is was impossible to gather that she didn't exercise them with sincerity. Despite any suffering she was enduring at the time, her kids were able to head to Rotary Manor and she would be ready to listen to any stories that they had to speak. Never did she fail in her duties as a mother. May Cindy's serenity and love rest on all of our shoulders, and may we let it guide our actions in the future so that as time moves on, her presence will only grow in this world. We say farewell to not just an unfailing mother, wife, daughter or friend. We say farewell to one of the most dependable, serene, faithful, resilient, humorous and loving persons that we have had the pleasure of knowing. A prayer service was held on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 7:00 PM at the Notre Dame Catholic Church, Dawson Creek, B.C. A Funeral Mass was held on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the Notre Dame Catholic Church. Father Michael Anyasoro officiated, interment will be at a later date. Cindy is predeceased by her father Marvin. Cindy is survived by; her husband Dennis, their children JoAnne, Nicole, Leeland and Duncan, her mother Bridget, and siblings Ward, Marvin, Rick and Leah. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Cindy to Rotary Manor, 1121-90 Avenue, Dawson Creek, B.C. V1G 5A3. Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home and Crematorium.