Dec. 28, 1921 - Jan. 2, 2013
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Cynthia Charlotte Blackmore Fishbaugh, 91, died peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, at Healthpark Medical Center in Fort Myers, after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving family.
Cynthia was the first-born child to Helen and Reginald Blackmore in Chicago, on Dec. 28, 1921.
She enjoyed growing up in a loving home with her sister, Gloria, who preceded her in death in 1976.
Cynthia spent her childhood in Hinsdale, Ill., where she met her lifelong friends, Judith Piff and Jan Hennessey, in the fourth grade. Cynthia graduated from Morton Academy in Cicero, Ill., and became a nursing assistant at the Illinois Research Hospital and volunteered at the Red Cross during World War II.
Cynthia married William Boehlke in 1944. They raised three boys, William Jr., Timothy and Larry.
Cynthia was active in Hinsdale, where she was president of the Infant Welfare Society (Hinsdale Center) for two years. She was a devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Burr Ridge, Ill., where she served in the altar guild.
She loved bowling and golf, and was a regular at Edgewood Valley Country Club.
Cynthia and William moved to Elkhart, Ind., in 1973 and while in Elkhart she cared for her ailing husband with great dedication until he died in 1976.
Cynthia married Paul Fishbaugh in 1978 and they created a new life together.
Cynthia was active in the Progress Club and Ivy League Garden Club of Elkhart.
Cynthia and Paul had 20 wonderful years filled with family gatherings, a delight in gardening, world travel and an active social life.
Cynthia and Paul became part-time residents of Florida when they moved to The Landings of Fort Myers.
With many friends and family in Hinsdale, Elkhart and Fort Myers, they were the epitome of a happy couple, enjoying retirement from work but not from life.
With Paul's death in 1998, Cynthia began a new life at Cypress Cove Retirement community in Fort Myers. In her 80s Cynthia remained active, becoming president of the library board, a champion at water aerobics and as always, an avid reader. Cynthia was also very active at Zion Lutheran Church, where she joined the seniors group and Bible study group and learned to play the hand bells. Cynthia took great comfort from her deep religious faith.
Cynthia was always able to make new friends, and indeed found the daughter she never had when she met Diane Long, who loved her like her own mother. Cynthia was a beautiful lady who was always very positive about life and had great style and class.
Cynthia Fishbaugh is survived by her three sons, William Jr. and his wife Christine, Timothy and his wife Becki, and Larry and his partner Terry Bonace; her brother-in-law, Bob Kalsted; her two nieces, Diane Kalsted and Janice Mackey; her stepdaughters, Michelle Lehman and Jodi Elsen; her granddaughters, Liza, Amanda and Lexi; and her great-grandchildren, Shawn and Teagan.
Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home, 403 W. Franklin St., Elkhart.
Burial will follow Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, in Oakridge Cemetery in Hillside, Ill.
Gifts and memorials should be given to Shirley Heinz Land Trust, 444 Barker Road, Michigan City, IN 46360.