Cynthia Lea Phelps
Cynthia Lea Phelps died suddenly, but peacefully, of an undiagnosed and rare disease on the night of October 25th, 2012. The daughter of Sheffield and Patricia Phelps, she was born in Seattle on December 11th, 1946. She attended The Bush School, Concord Academy (1964) and Vassar College (1968), where she majored in Spanish. Cyndie also took courses at Seattle University in English as a Second Language. She also attended the UPS School of Law. Deeply concerned about social justice, she became the first King County Victim's Assistance Officer from 1975 to 1978. Cyndie had many friends, diverse interests and was an especially caring person. She worked for years for The Market Foundation advocating for public housing and assistance to those in need. In later years, she supported C.A.S.A. Latina by teaching English as a Second Language.
Ever appreciative of Puget Sound and the San Juans, in 2010, she commissioned Sam Devlin to build her a boat, the "Storm Petrel," a lovely lobster boat-picnic cruiser that became a great joy to her. She joined the South Sound Sailing Society, mastered several seamanship and navigation courses and became active and immersed in women's boating associations.
Earlier this year, she began singing with the Anna's Bay Center for Music as a tenor. This choir has been invited to sing the Messiah at Lincoln Center's Avery Hall between November 22nd and 25th. Cyndie was very enthusiastic about the choir and was looking forward to participating in its New York concert. She was a lifelong supporter of the Mariners, Pacific Northwest Ballet and member of the Seattle Tennis Club. Cyndie was an avid fan of Wagner's "Ring" and was looking forward to next year's cycle by the Seattle Opera.
She lived in Tacoma with her (rescued) two dogs and four cats. A devoted and generous mother, aunt, sibling, godmother and friend, Cyndie leaves behind her wonderful son, Sheffield Stephens Hendon, a sister, Nina Phelps Gorny, a brother, Stewart Phelps, her niece, Natalie Phelps Martin and her nephew, Gavin Phelps. All of whom she loved dearly. Those who knew her will remember her as a generous and loving woman. A celebration of Cyndie's life will be announced at a later date. It would mean a great deal to Cyndie if remembrances could be made for the travel expenses of Anna's Bay Center for Music P.O. Box 622 Union, WA 98592.
Published in The Seattle Times from October 31 to November 4, 2012.
