Cindy "Bear" Anderson

It is with heavy and loving hearts that the family announces in the early morning of January 28, 2016, Cindy ‘Bear’ Anderson passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. She passed quietly at home surrounded by loving family.

Cindy is survived by a loving family including her husband of 24 years Terry Uskoski, brother Arne and his wife Danielle Anderson. She was a very proud Aunt to their children Hanna, Magnus and Beck Anderson. She also leaves to mourn sister Marlene and her children Crystal and Johnny, mother-in-law Pauline Uskoski, 2 sisters-in-law; Cheryl Nolt and Linda Uskoski, as well as a long list of cousins, aunts, uncles, and close friends. Cindy was predeceased by her mother Bev Lower, Grandmother Bea Lower and her Aunt Pat Tottle as well has her two beloved cats Maja and Muffin.

Cindy was born in Winnipeg on December 4, 1961. She spent the early years living in a variety of places including Winnipeg, Stonewall, Selkirk, Victoria eventually settling and calling Winnipeg home.

Cindy started her working life at McDonald’s on St. Anne’s Road, working her way up the corporate ladder to management. She moved on to work at Dominion Groceries at the Osborne Pembina junction in the Deli Department. The closure of Dominion Groceries led Cindy into the service industry starting at the famous Pickles Restaurant. Cindy excelled, as it was an opportunity for her bubbly, vivacious personality to shine. Subsequent years would see Cindy move to the big time of Times Night Club on Portage Avenue. These were the wild years; meeting many new friends and forming life long bonds that carried to present day. Times changed – Cindy moved to Jonathon’s Restaurant and Bar on St. Mary Avenue where she again forged strong lifelong bonds. It was at Jonathon’s where Cindy would meet her life partner Terry. Cindy eventually made a move away from the service industry and began working in the Deli at the St. Anne’s Superstore. In typical Cindy fashion she gave the job her all and excelled. Cindy would go on to take a role on Bison Drive as assistant Deli Manager soon to be the Deli Manager. She transferred stores to Gateway and eventually was appointed the Deli Manager for the new Superstore on St. James. Cindy loved her job, the people she worked with daily and gave everything she had every day. Cindy was in her 17th year with Superstore and worked her way to the second highest position as Key Holder.

Cindy was a creative force. The fortunate ones were rewarded with Cindy’s amazing crafts. She would sew, knit, crochet, cut, paint and create anything she set her mind to, and as those who knew her, knew it was a strong mind. Cindy never bought clothes, if she wanted a new shirt, she made it; new pants, made them; scarf, made it. She was a force and her work beautiful. Fabricland was her playground and her recent discovery of Ram Wool became a sanctuary for her, kindred spirits that spoke knitting.

Cindy loved skiing. She started locally but longed to try the mountains. She challenged her ‘intermediate’ skill with the best double black diamond runs that Sunshine could throw at her. That was Cindy, all in.

Cindy loved the outdoors. In the early years, it was in a canvas tent with Arne, Grandma, Mom, Uncle Keith and his 5 girls in St Ambrose. Grandma bought a trailer and it was camping in the trailer at Twin Beaches. In later years it was with Terry, backpacking into the backwoods of Manitoba’s great wilderness. It was in these places she would find peace and solace. Cindy and Terry had the pleasure of many summers at the cabin in the Whiteshell. This allowed Cindy to mix her love for the outdoors with the tranquility of cabin life. It became a place of comfort and peace.

Cindy loved her people. She cared for and loved Terry deeply. Her long lunches with Aunty Jean were a staple in her schedule. She made extra efforts to connect with people. She had many deep and long lasting friendships that spanned her life. Her friendships with Shaune and Jodi were so very important to her, like sisters, but better. Rarely do people have one friend like these women, as a testament to her, she had two. After her diagnosis it was these people who were her support – standing, sitting, lying and lifting her spirits through the tough journey. The truth of Cindy was her focus was on trying to lift our spirits.

Cindy’s giving character did not change in spite of her illness. She refused to let the illness change who she was. She continued to give of herself, her time and her talents in the support of others, despite her terminal prognosis. She took handmade gifts and special baking to the CancerCare folks, she sewed a new robe for Jodi, she planned, made special gifts and organized a surprise birthday party for Shaune, she taught Arne to make pickles, with Hanna, Magnus and Beck she planned and baked all their teacher’s holiday gifts; she spent countless hours knitting Arne a sweater; she always gave of herself selflessly.

To know her was a privilege; to receive her love was an honour.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation for all the care and support of the dedicated staff at CancerCare.

A memorial service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2016 at Thomson Funeral Home, 669 Broadway.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to CancerCare Manitoba or to the Winnipeg Humane Society – Cat Ward (Cindy Loved Cats).