Cynthia Hughes Zerwas

Cynthia Hughes Zerwas went to be with the Lord on August 20, 2013, after a courageous fight against cancer. She was born in Houston, Texas, on August 1, 1954. A devoted Christian, Cindy grew up attending Wayside and Sherman and Southeast Churches of Christ with her parents, Lee and Vicky Hughes, and her two older siblings, Sherry and Lee, Jr. She attended Bellaire High School in Houston, where she met her loving husband, John, during their junior year. Cindy and John graduated from high school in 1973 and were married on March 18, 1978. In 1980, while John was still attending medical school, Cindy gave birth to the couple’s first son, John, Jr. During John’s medical residency in San Antonio, Texas, Cindy and John welcomed three more children to the world: Joseph in 1982 and twins Brandon and Sherry in 1983. Upon returning to the Houston area after the birth of the twins, John and Cindy raised their four children in Richmond, Texas. The family also spent countless days and nights and made endless memories at their condominium on Galveston’s west beach, which was nicknamed “Cindy’s 34th Place.”

Cindy’s long-time wish came true when Sherry and her husband Matthew gave Cindy two grandchildren: Isabella in 2009 and Matthew in 2011. John and Cindy recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary.

Cindy’s life revolved around her husband, children, and in recent years, her grandchildren. She was an incredibly loving mother and a devoted wife. She was truly loved everywhere she went. Aside from her family, her passions included the beach, anything Texas-related, and, of course, needlepointing! Even while battling illness, her cheerfulness was inspiring and her smile was contagious. She will be missed dearly by all.

Cindy was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Vicky Hughes, and her brothers-in-law, Richard B. Mann and Raymond J. Forbish. She is survived by her husband, John M. Zerwas; her children, John M. Zerwas, Jr., Joseph L. Zerwas, Brandon H. Zerwas and his wife Monica, and Sherry Z. Phelps and her husband Matthew; her grandchildren, Isabella D. Phelps and Matthew C. Phelps, II; her sister, Sherry Mann Forbish; her brother, Lee L. Hughes, Jr. and his wife Sara; and numerous nieces, nephews, and brothers- and sisters-in-law. A memorial service and celebration of Cindy’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, at First Colony Church of Christ, 2140 First Colony Blvd., Sugar Land, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations in Cindy’s name may be made to the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, at www.runfortherose.com or 5090 Richmond Ave., Houston, Texas 77056, which supports brain cancer research. A special thanks to all of those who supported and prayed for Cindy and the Zerwas family during this journey.