February 1, 1934 – October 3, 2023

The sweetest woman in the world, our mom, has passed away after living with Alzheimer’s for over 10 years. We will miss her so much, but are relieved to know she is finally free of the disease and at peace with God.

Dad never wavered in his dedication and admiration for his wife of 69 years. Their connection could not be broken. He was by her side, loving and caring for her every day at home until one year ago when they moved to assisted living. Mom stayed sweet and comfortable until she was called home, with Dad visiting her many times a day from his room just down the hall.

She laughed when we hugged her, and made us laugh when her personality would shine through when she decided to talk. And we’re wondering if her Italian ancestry we discovered in 2015 (she actually got to meet her biological half brother!) was the reason she loved eating an Italian ice every night recently.

As a newborn, Cynthia was adopted by Robert Esterly and Mary Louise Boyce. She grew up as C.J. in Laurel Farms, Chester WV, with her brother Robert (Bo). Her father and his extended family were very well connected with the community there and in East Liverpool, OH and provided mom with a very good childhood. Mom spent plenty of time at the pottery, the bank and the First United Methodist Church in East Liverpool, where she married Robert L. Sheehan in 1954. This was after meeting him on a manure spreader in upstate NY where he lived, and where she would visit her cousins eight years earlier! He swept her away from Mount Union College after attending for 31⁄2 years. Who could blame her? This was Bobby Sheehan after all!
She loved her family and friends and you all felt it. She was the one that always kept in touch (think of all the Christmas cards she wrote!), kept us together and had the parties of the year – in NJ and FL! She had the time of her life on over 50 Delta Queen cruises, and had two homes filled with Harker pottery and antiques. She went from sewing maternity and baby clothes, to crocheting and knitting, and many of you probably received a scarf or afghan. After selling

their home in Old Bridge, NJ in 1987, she and dad spent winters in Marco Island, FL and summers in Harvey Cedars, NJ. With family close, Dad will still be able to enjoy both homes.

Cynthia has left “Sheehan,” Heather, Mike and Barb, Nick, Derek, Gavin, great grandchildren, extended family, loving in-laws and life-long friends. But she will be reunited with Bo, her mom and dad, Mary Sue, Nancy, Grady, Karen and others she loved so much who went before her. We were so lucky to have her this long. Celebrate her life.