There will always be more to say

My mom's siblings, husband, friends, nieces and nephews, daughters, in-laws, etc. wrote this together in the last couple of days. It's totally insufficient and (we learned from the funeral directors) way too long to publish in a newspaper. Mom and I would laugh together at something like that: us Stoddards and our self-importance! So here it is below as we wrote it but still had more to say.  

I also direct you to read a piece my mom wrote about our Camp and Family a few years ago right here at this link: http://stoddardcamp.blogspot.com/2009/06/by-cynthia-robin-stoddard-gascon.html?m=1

Thanks to my aunt Deb for remembering and finding Mom's essay on Camp and for being an amazing support person to me for my whole entire life.  My extended family and close friends have wrapped me in such incredible love while my husband has anticipated and fulfilled my every possible need, usually several minutes or hours before I realize I need it.  My gram and Wayne, my dad and I, all the rest of us, are grateful for your love. We'll find our way, somehow.  I think.


Cynthia Robin Stoddard Crandlemere, June 3, 1951-June 24, 2014

Cynthia Robin Stoddard Crandlemere, of Holbrook, MA, died quickly of a heart attack while attending a Broadway play with her loving husband, R. Wayne Crandlemere.  In addition to her husband she leaves her daughter, Zoë Stoddard Gascon, son-in-law, Neil Favreau and their children Harper Robin Favreau and Patrick David Favreau of East Burke, VT; her mother, Robin Sargent of Freedom, NH; first husband and dearest friend David Gascon of Lyndonville, VT; step-daughter Donna Amado and her children Benjamin Schwartz and Faith Amado of Hanson, MA; step-daughter Raina Alves, her husband Paul ("Andy") and their daughters Monica and Samantha of Mansfield, MA; sisters Sally-ann Stoddard of Lyndonville, VT and Raetha Jeanne Stoddard of Freedom, NH; brother Tommy Stoddard and his wife Deb Azrael of Somerville, MA; brother Scott Brown and his wife Marigrace O’Leary of Manchester, NH; and brother Jerry Moss, of Maynard, as well as sisters-in-law Terry Leavitt and Stacy Sand.  

Cindy was very involved with, and devoted to, all of the children of the family.  She selflessly cared for her eldest grandson Ben while his mom worked full time until he was school-aged.  It was during this time that Ben lovingly dubbed her, “CC”, a name which stuck with some of the children of the family.   For many years Cindy hosted a “Camp Auntie Cindy” for her beloved nieces and nephews at her home on the South Shore.  She treated them to museum outings, parties at Lisa’s USA Pizza, Chuck E. Cheese trips, shopping trips, cooking projects, movies and all manner of entertainment.  Attendees at Camp Auntie Cindy include Netdahe, Henekis, Kali and Shani Stoddard, Jeremy and Jocelyn Brown, Kayla-Rae and Jordyn Fitzpatrick and Eleanor Stoddard.  Although called “Camp Auntie Cindy”, it was attended by her grandchildren as well, none with more joy than her grandson Patrick.  She faithfully and lovingly attended graduations, dance recitals, plays, voice concerts, sporting events, and flying trapeze exhibitions whenever a grandchild, nephew, or niece performed.

Very special nieces Kristen Elizabeth Abbott and Cheryl Elizabeth Stibel were raised by their Auntie Cindy and Uncle Wayne after their own mother’s untimely passing in 1987. In the last nine years Cindy has seen nine grand- nieces and nephews come into her life: Quixote Evangeline Stoddard Fitzpatrick; Losada Stoddard; Nia and Asha Stoddard-Imari; Raphael Barbe-Gayet;  Lincoln and Dennett Stibel; and Deliliah and Cecilia Abbott. She was excitedly awaiting three more in the fall. She loved each of the children in her life uniquely and unequivocally, always reveling in their individual quirks and talents.

Cindy was born Cynthia Robin Stoddard, the daughter of Priscilla and Charles Stoddard in East Natick, MA.  She spent all the summers of her life at her family’s camp on the lake in Freedom, N.H.  She attended East Natick Elementary School and Natick’s Wilson Junior High School. She attended Natick and Wellesley High Schools and graduated from Holbrook High.  Cindy married David Gascon in 1969 and although they were divorced eight years later, they were the best of friends and shared a commitment to raising their daughter Zoe, and in later years shared the joys of grandparenting.

Cindy earned an Associate in Arts Degree from Massasoit Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Bridgewater State College, graduating with a 4.0 and receiving the school’s highest award in History.   She worked for a time as a professional cook at the Daystar Home in Needham and spent the majority of her years as a loving, dedicated homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend.

Cindy married Wayne on May 18, 1980, the day Mount St. Helen’s erupted. She carried her vows in her wallet until the day she died. Cindy and her husband loved musical theater and attended more than 100 plays last year all over New England and in New York City.  They subscribed to nine theaters. Cindy was referred to as “a star in the Boston theater community,” a description that would have tickled her and made her proud.  She leaves behind many theater friends who loved her kindness and open heart.  

Cindy and Wayne traveled extensively throughout the United States and took many trips abroad.  They visited Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, The Philippines, Guam, Mexico, Canada, England and a number of Caribbean Islands.  They made 3 trips to China where they stayed with their close friend Chang Qingchang.  Cindy felt fortunate to see such sites as the Great Wall, Tianaman Square, and Mao’s Mausoleum, in ways that tourists seldom experience.

Cindy was a marvelous cook and those who were close to her would grow homesick for her “sweetly-baked-Cindy-foods." She was known for the clam dip, homemade breads, crab cakes, baked Alaska, and Big Salad extravaganzas that she prepared most months. She had a wacky and wonderful sense of humor and appreciated funny people.

Cindy and her daughter Zoë were particularly close and loved each other more than anything.  In spite of living 200 miles apart they spent time together regularly, cooking, laughing and loving each other and their family.  Cindy had a knack for creating special moments so she left a treasure trove of precious memories.  Cindy was particularly looking forward to her oldest granddaughter, Harper, attending Simmons College in Boston this fall so that they could see more of each other and Cindy could provide Harper with a home away from home when dorm life felt lonely.  Grammie Cindy and Harper shared a love of clean clothes and good smells.

Cindy was an organ donor and was predeceased by her esteemed father, Charles Henry Stoddard in 1989,  her beloved sister-in-law, Janet Crandlemere Hevey in 1987, dear friend Qingchang of China, mother-  and father-in-law Robert and Elizabeth Crandlemere and, recently, brother-in-law Sekou Imari.

In respect for Cindy’s passions for her family, local community and humankind, donations can be sent to your local Theater, her nephew Kali’s musical campagin http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/projectkali or the Southern Poverty Law Center https://donate.splcenter.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=463

Calling Hours: Tuesday the 1st of July from 4 - 8, and her funeral will be on Wednesday at 10:30. Both will be at Cartwright Funeral Home in Holbrook, MA. The funeral home is just south of the intersection of Rtes 139 and 37, on Rte 37.