Cindy was born on June 26, 1955, to Goldie M. (Crawford) Parsons and Donald E. Ward in Kokomo, IN. She grew up in the Kokomo area and graduated from Kokomo High School in 1973. On July 27, 1991, she married the love of her life, Thomas A. Flaten. They resided together in Indianapolis, IN (1991-1992), Dallas, TX (1992-1996) and have called Carmel, IN home since 1996.
Cindy was a bright star with a beautiful smile and warm heart. She loved her family fiercely, was passionate about her faith and was a tremendous asset to the Catholic Church. She worked as Coordinator for Religious education at St. Ann Catholic Parish in Coppell, Texas for three and a half years. She was responsible for overseeing the education programs for over 1,600 students and coordinating RCIA and Bible studies. After moving back to Indiana, she became the Director of Faith Formation at Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis on August 5, 1996. She always credited her mother-in-law, Mary Flaten, for mentoring her and encouraging her to apply for the position that she held for 25 years until her retirement on June 30th, 2021.
Cindy achieved many accomplishments and earned numerous awards throughout her life. She won the Rookie of the Year award in 1996 from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Cindy was one of two recipients of The Archdiocesan Total Catholic Education Endowment grant, which she used to complete her bachelor’s degree in Theology from St. Mary of the Woods in 2001. In 2003, she received the Excellence in the Ministry of Catechesis Award for exemplifying excellence in ministry as a parish administrator and religious education. Her faith was the cornerstone of who she was. She credited these honors to prayer, which she took time to do every day.
While Cindy was admired for her faith and work in the church, she was also known for loving her family relentlessly. Cindy and Tom had a true and deep love for each other that is rare and special. They blended their families, and their bond was sealed. Their love for their family held no bounds. Cindy was blessed with her two children, Hollie and Dustin, and had the privilege of being the stepmother to Emily, Gretchen and Claire. It was said by Claire that she was beyond lucky to have a mom like her.
To her family, she was viewed as being glamorous, beautiful and free-spirited, while also humble, gracious and thoughtful. She could make you laugh harder than almost anyone, but also hold you tight and make you feel safe and secure. Her presence sparkled and would light up a room. She was so giving and would drop everything if her family was in need. “Gigi” never missed a chance to spend time with her cherished grandchildren. They were among her greatest joys in life. She was a loving daughter and a very special sister. Her stories of the capers that she and her sister did as little girls could make you laugh for hours, and she even shared a birthday (June 26) with her sister-in-law, Margaret “Peggy” Daisley.
Cindy always seemed filled with joy and happiness. When she wasn’t spending time with her family or serving the Church, she could be found enjoying creative hobbies. She was a talented seamstress and loved making clothes for her grandchildren. When she wasn’t sewing, she was likely quilting or knitting special gifts for her family. While many would view this as laboring projects, she viewed them as relaxation. And she was an incredible cook and baker.
Cindy was a very special person and her passing leaves a void that can never be filled, but her spirit will live on through all of us.
Cindy is survived by her loving husband Tom, daughter and son-in law Hollie Adams and Matt Severt, son and daughter-in-law Dustin and Alex Adams, stepdaughters Emily (Eric) Litchfield, Gretchen (Michael) Micheli, and Claire Taylor. Grandchildren Lainie Severt; Keegan, Kaedan, Lily and Laila Adams; Eloise Litchfield; Gianna and Fia Micheli; and Beatrix Bittner. Mother Goldie Parsons, sister Brenda Akers and nieces and nephews Megan (CJ) Carroll and Jarred, Alesa and Wyatt Tanner.
She was preceded in death by her father Donald E. Ward, brother Jeffery D. Tanner, and nieces Erin Marie and Caitlin Christine Lutes. Paternal grandparents Donald and Mary Ward. Maternal grandparents Henry Harold and Delcie Mae Crawford.
A visitation for Cindy will be held Thursday, December 30, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary, 2126 E 71st St, Indianapolis, Indiana 46220. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, December 31, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5884 Crittenden Ave, Indianapolis, Indiana. Interment follows at 1:00 PM at Valhalla Memory Gardens, 310 N. Johnson Ave., Bloomington, IN 47404.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.feeneyhornakkeystone.com for the Flaten family.
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