Malone, Cynthia Lee

Cynthia Lee Malone, 66, of Marion, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 28, 2012, surrounded by her beloved family and friends. After battling lymphoma, she is now secure in the arms of her Savior - healed, whole and home.

Cynthia was born on Feb. 11, 1946, in Chicago, the eldest of eight children. She spent her childhood in Great Lakes, Ill.; Key West, Fla.; and Jefferson City, Mo., although her father's career in the Navy took them many other places as well. She settled and raised her children in Center Point, Iowa. Through these experiences, she cultivated unique gifts of compassion and friendship, which she gave to all who were privileged to know her. Cynthia left a legacy of love.

This legacy began early as she relished the roles of big sister to her siblings and as a nursing student in the Cook County School of Nursing in Chicago. Becoming a mother and grandmother further confirmed the depth and breadth of her love and compassion. Cynthia worked in many aspects of the nursing field and went on to earn her Bachelor's Degree from Coe College, then her Master's Degree in social work from the University of Iowa. She most recently worked as a substance abuse counselor at Mercy Sedlacek.

Through her life, Cynthia maintained a sincere faith in God, an irreverent and wonderful sense of humor and an unrivaled work ethic. She also enjoyed many artistic pursuits such as drawing, writing stories and poetry and quilting. She loved learning new things and was a voracious reader.

Survivors include: her mother, Leone Malone; seven siblings, Robert Malone (Deb), Becky Cruise (David), Timothy Malone (Deb), Meribeth Malone (son Rob), David Malone (Nancy), Jennifer Frederickson (James) and Shelly Malone; and her three daughters, Johanna Vandersall (husband Scott and children Jenah, Josia, Wynne and Silas), Jennifer Sutton (husband Kevin and children Abigail, Linden, Meredith and Peter), and Maya Murphy (husband Sean and children Jaffer, Levi, Samuel and Rael).

Cynthia's family offers sincere thanks to everyone who has shown love and support these past weeks. Her friends are too numerous to count. Thank you to the Mercy oncology and hospice staff and to Dr. Jasmine Nabi.

Preceding her in death was her father, Robert Malone.

Celebration of Life Service: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 1, at Imago Christi Church, 1700 B Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, Cynthia would appreciate memorials sent to House of Hope, 1744 Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.

Published in The Gazette April 29, 2012.