CynthiaGILLESPIECYNTHIA Gillespie was born on September 15, 1944 and died in Blackburn Royal Infirmary on Saturday, May 9, aged 81 years old; almost twenty years to the day that she lost her own mother, Mary.
Cynthia grew up in Rossendale, surrounded by a large Catholic family. Cynthia was the second youngest of six siblings: Beryl, Jack, Irene, Valerie and a younger brother David, all of whom are still living.
Cynthia was a devoted daughter to her parents, who lived into their nineties; she spent a long number of years as their sole carer, advocate and companion.
An amazing and dedicated aunt to several generations of nieces and nephews.
It was a difficult start to life, plagued with many years battling serious ill-health, while still a very young adult. Cynthia's dignity and fortitude were apparent as she coped daily with her life-long health issues, which never went away.
Without a family of her own (which she would have dearly loved) Cynthia followed a path of service.
Early in her career, she was a teaching assistant at St James the Less in Rawtenstall and then spent over two decades at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn as a paediatric ICU nurse for premature babies. This was her place of joy and fulfilment.
Cynthia was smart, quick-witted and was always ready for a joke and a chat (and the occasional crafty cigarette).
Cynthia was also phenomenally creative and a prolific knitter; she was the aunt who taught card and magic tricks, was forever young at heart and still rode her bike like a youngster up Helmshore Road, not that long ago.
Cynthia, we will remember all the good you shared and the care you gave.
Rest In Peace.
Cynthia's funeral will take place at St James the Less RC Church, Burnley Road,
Rossendale BB4 8HH on Wednesday, May 27 at 11.30am.
Donations in Cynthia's memory are welcomed.
Enquiries to Georgina Ormrod at Johnson Durning Woods Funeral Service 01706 2114498.
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