Cynthia L. Brooks

From a young age it was apparent that she had an eye for beauty. Her father called her Cindy Lou with eyes of blue. Whether it be water color, flower arranging, mosaics or cooking, once she touched it, it became art. She read the deepest of books on theology and spirituality; her mind was like a sponge. Not many Riverside children slipped past her watch. Cindy was a kindergarten teacher at St. Casimir School and a religious education teacher for the parish for many years. She loved all children and had a soft spot for the ornery ones. When the kids needed costumes or stage props, Cindy could always create magic from everyday objects and a few scraps of fabric. In her later career as a wedding and event designer, Cindy could accomplish what few thought possible. She didn’t watch much T.V. outside of PBS but would take the time to watch Pride and Prejudice a few hundred times over. She also stayed true to her Polish traditions: no one cooked Pierogis , Golabki, or Chrusciki like Cioci. She was in touch with nature; Cindy spent countless hours tending to her garden and flowers. Mind, body and spirit, Cindy kept it all in balance.

In 1970 Cindy met a man named Bill amongst friends who worked at Bamberger’s. She’d leave for 2 years to study fashion but popped into the store one day when she got home; she and Bill would schedule a date. That date never ended and lead to nuptials on July 6, 1974. They’d be blessed by a son, Michael (Stacy) who quickly became her number one devotion. She is survived by her siblings: Larry Costello, Connie Howe, Tim Costello, Carolynn Chesney and Colleen Nimrouzi and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Come celebrate 62 years of Cindy in an evening of remembrance Friday 6-8 p.m. at St. Casimir Church, 502 New Jersey Ave, Riverside. Bring your great stories to share at 7:15. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Interment St. Peter’s Cemetery, Riverside.