Cynthia Iris Rhodes

Cynthia Iris Rhodes, daughter of Thomas Chapman, Jr. and the late Eileen Marie Chapman, was born February 5, 1953. Affectionately called ""Cindy"" she was the eldest of five children. Having been born into an Air Force family, Cindy was educated in the United States and in Japan. She graduated from Yamato High School in Tachikawa, Japan in 1971. Cindy loved education. She received a 4-year degree from the University of Texas at El Paso in Criminal Justice/Biology, an Occupational Associates Degree from Pima Medical Institute as an Ophthalmic Medical Technician and a Biblical Degree from the Catholic Biblical School of the Archdiocese of Denver on May 19, 2006. But her greatest desire was to be a Physician's Assistant… because, in her words, ""that I may use my medical skills to enhance the quality of life of all I come in contact with."" Cindy became somewhat the ""family doctor."" You could always go to ""Aunt Cindy"", as she was lovingly called, and get some kind of medical advice. She was intrigued with the human body and exclaimed how she was in complete wonderment when she had to dissect a cadaver during one of her human anatomy classes!!! Cindy loved to travel and visited many States and Countries. She particularly enjoyed spending time with friends in Tunisia and Poland and talked always of going back to visit her friends there. Most don't know this but Cindy had a wonderful gift for writing poetry. She wrote poetry about love, pain, happiness, being sick, friends and her travels. Yet, she mostly shared her poems with those whom she wanted to convey a story about a situation that touched her heart. While oftentimes quiet and reserved, she expressed a great deal of her innermost feelings through her poetry. One thing that stands out about Cindy was her neatness. She kept a spectacularly clean house and everything was in its place and in order. Even while in the hospital, which was quite often, she insisted her room be picked up and wasn't able to rest until one of the nurses or orderlies followed her strict directions on how she wanted her room to be cleaned. Cindy was especially fond of Pope John Paul II, and was extremely happy when she participated as a volunteer at World Youth Day, August 11-15, 1993 in Denver, Colorado wherein afterward, she received a Certificate of Appreciation. She considered it an honor to have been a part of such an event that was televised worldwide. Cindy was fascinated with anything and everything that pertained to British Royalty. She would stay up into the wee hours of the morning watching the British Royals on television in order to follow their headline making stories. She especially loved events that featured the pomp and circumstance of British Royal's marriages and births. Cindy loved to cook, her specialty being delicious hot rolls, a recipe she obtained from her grandmother, as well as cod fish cakes and potato salad. Something else Cindy loved to do was talk on the phone. She would call her friends and family often, sometimes forgetting that there was a time zone difference. When she wasn't feeling well, she would pick up the phone and call someone….. this would help take her mind off her pain. Cindy had one of the most generous hearts. She enjoyed giving. She kept dozens of birthday cards, Christmas cards, Easter cards and ""just because"" cards on hand to send to her friends and family. She also gave heartfelt gifts – ""just a little something"" as she would call them. She loved to plan parties, and tirelessly helped her friends when asked to plan such events. Left to mourn Cindy is her loving Son, Jason Rhodes; Her father, Thomas Chapman Jr.; her two sisters, Michele DeWalt and Lynne (Kenneth) Stevenson; her two brothers, Michael (Karen) Chapman and Philip Chapman. Closest to her was her uncle, Daniel Smith, and her very special friend, Father Tomasz Wikarski. Cindy also leaves behind Nieces and Nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Cindy, we will miss you!! Don't Quit When things go wrong as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all up hill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest, if you must, but don't you quit. Life is strange with its twists and turns, As everyone of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turn about, When we might have won had we worked it out. Don't give up though the pace seems slow – You may succeed with another try. Success is failure turned inside out – The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far. So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit – It's when things seem worst that you must not quit. ~Edgar A. Guest I'll Fly Away Some glad morning when this life is o'er, I'll fly away; To a home on God's celestial shore, I'll fly away (I'll fly away). I'll fly away, fly away, Oh Glory I'll fly away; (in the morning) When I die, Hallelujah, by and by, I'll fly away (I'll fly away). When the shadows of this life have gone, I'll fly away; Like a bird from prison bars has flown, I'll fly away (I'll fly away) I'll fly away, Oh Glory I'll fly away; (in the morning) When I die, Hallelujah, by and by, I'll fly away (I'll fly away). ~Albert E. Brumley Please share memories of Cynthia and condolences with her family in the guest book below.