Cynthia Frances Klein's Obituary
Below you will find Cindy’s obituary, her daughter Melissa’s eulogy and the link to the recording of the service.
OBITUARY:
Cynthia Klein, 66, of Tucson, Arizona died June 23, 2020 losing her battle with glioblastoma.
Cindy grew up in Southfield and graduated from the University of Michigan. She was a Tucson resident for most of her adult life, moved back to Michigan for a short time before moving back to Tucson to be with family.
She was a speech pathologist by trade but her most recent passion was genealogy. She had become quite the genetic detective in the past years, finding long lost family of her own as well as helping others do the same. Part of her legacy will be all those relationships that benefited from her work helping build family trees.
She is survived by her love, Michael Hough and beloved pup Jack; her daughter and son in law Melissa and Matt Landau and her grandson Jeremy. She was the daughter of Phyllis and the late Marvin Penn; sister to Howard and Sandee Penn, and Gail Penn. She also leaves behind many cousins and friends who will also miss her intellect and wit.
Contributions may be made to
Braintumor.org
Jewishgen.org
Beadsofcourage.org
Michiganhumane.org
EULOGY:
My mom, Cindy Klein, was so much more to me and to the world than I can put into words on paper. After sharing the news that she had passed, we received hundreds of comments and messages from family, friends, and even people who were strangers to me, but who knew my mom so well. It is clear that keeping in touch with people was very important to her. Friends from grade school, Jewish day and sleep away camp, public relations, event planning, and marketing committees, her ukulele teacher, her hair dresser, work friends from her numerous professions, and closely related and distantly related relatives, all reached out with a loving admiration for my mom.
She was described as a blessing, a thoughtful soul, a gem and inspiration, kind and spunky, a wonderful woman, one of the nice girls, and even the nicest person I ever met. The outpouring of comments continued to describe her as a gracious host, a remarkable human being, smart as a whip, brilliant, someone who asked the hard questions and knew the answers, feisty, and fiercely loyal. I continued reading the comments including the ones that mentioned her heart of gold, talent, beautiful spirit, great insight, captivating stories, positive outlook, willingness to jump in and lend a hand, her good humor, smile, and contagious laugh. Friends mentioned the long and meaningful conversations they had with her and the times they philosophized together.
Her friends and family in the genealogy and Jewish genealogy world wrote that not only did they share a passion in research, but that she gave freely of her knowledge. I was told how so many people used my mom’s expertise to fill in the blanks in their family trees. She was instrumental in helping others reconnect with their biological family members and some even said that they were eternally grateful to my mom. I too, am grateful for the passionate research that my mom conducted and thankful to be able to continue learning more about my mom through those that knew her in a different light.
My mom was truly one of a kind. I would give anything to hear that laugh one more time, but I know she hears us and is smiling as I speak. She was so proud when I married Matt, and even more excited when she learned that I was pregnant. My mom handled bittersweet situations with grace. Her hospice nurse told me that she never once complained. I would often ask my mom how she was feeling and she would simply reply “no complaints.” Never in my life would I have thought that within just one month we would learn of a pregnancy that would bring us so much joy, and also learn of a diagnosis that would leave us feeling so conflicted. I couldn’t have imagined bringing new life into the world and losing such a special one as well, all within the same year. As unfortunate as our circumstances have been, I have so much to be grateful for.
I am grateful for my mom’s free spirit and larger than life personality. Growing up, my mom was one of those moms, who would do anything for their child. She worked tirelessly to support my dreams and passions as a young girl who loved ballet, music, and gymnastics. My mom was always ready for a special shopping trip that remained a secret between us. She loved taking drives in the car, and whether it was across town or across the state, you could almost guarantee that the music would be playing and my mom would be singing along. She was by my side each Tuesday night to watch our mother daughter show on TV. Growing up I also witnessed some of my mom’s passions including bird watching, going to art shows, socializing with her bichon dog group, and making jewelry. I can’t even begin tell you how many beads my mom had in her collection. She also loved to share information with others. My aunt always said that my mom was the best tour guide when she and my uncle came to town. She would take them around and was able to tell them just about anything they wanted to know. My mom liked to be right and she usually was. Even though as a teenager I probably hated to admit it, my mom had a wealth of knowledge. I always told people she was like a walking encyclopedia. That probably explains why during my freshman year of college I called my mom on the daily just to ask her a quick question and get the answer to it because I knew she would know it regardless of if the question was related to something academic or not. My mom was also extremely organized. I used to love looking through her photo albums as a child, and now she has left me with digital files of photos that are labeled with descriptions and I will always cherish that gift.
I am so grateful that my mom prioritized moving back to Tucson to be with my family and me, particularly my son Jeremy. I look at him and see her, and find comfort in knowing that she was able to hold him and that he is a part of her.
I’m grateful to my Uncle Howard and Auntie Sandee who supported my mom in a multitude of ways including helping her and Michael prepare for the sale of their home and move to the desert.
I’m grateful to Michael’s daughter Heather for supporting him and my mom and being there to hold her hand for me when I couldn’t.
Most of all, I am grateful for you Michael. You brought the best out in my mom. She was always beautiful to me and I know you saw that beauty in her too. She was the happiest I have ever seen her when she was with you. You knew just how to love her in the easiest of times and the most difficult of times. If you know Michael and my mom, then you know that to know them is to love them. I couldn’t have asked for a better love for my mom, stepdad to me, and bonus grandpa to Jeremy. When you and my mom were living in Michigan I never worried about her because I knew she was with you. I picture her dancing and singing to music as you strum on your guitar. Your music inspired her and she was so passionate about loving you and supporting you. Thank you for loving my mom in the best possible way and for leading her through the end of her life as her soul left this world.
A few days ago, a dear friend shared a quote with me and it resonates more than ever.
“A life lived doesn’t end any more then music ends. It echoes through time with whispers of beauty and grace. If we listen, we can hear the encore with our hearts, for the song plays on.”
I love you mommy, and I wish I could hug you just one last time. You will be greatly missed, you already are, but your song will continue to play.
LINK TO GRAVESIDE SERVICE:
https://viewneral.zoom.us/rec/share/6o9taK3bxFJOYq_rq13vSo0-Rrrlaaa80Cga_aILyBthFYAXVM0pN3hNUGlx2FO1
What’s your fondest memory of Cynthia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Cynthia?
Share a story where Cynthia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Cynthia you’ll never forget.
How did Cynthia make you smile?
