Cindy Sue Connell

On Sunday, January the 13th Folger's Coffee stock price fell sharply on the news of Cindy Connell’s passing. Senior executives at Folgers called an emergency meeting to brace for the impact of the anticipated drop in sales. As much as Cindy loved her coffee, and she really loved coffee, nothing comes close to how much she loved her family.

In early December she began to feel what she thought was a pulled muscle in her back. Over the next few weeks the pain intensified which drove her to urgent care and ultimately to the emergency room for what was discovered to be a mass in her lung. The ER treated her for pain and released her. Over the next few weeks she suffered greatly as her husband desperately attempted to navigate the inefficiencies of our healthcare system. Again, she found herself back in the emergency room and within a few days it was determined she had cancer which was already too advanced for treatment. She went peacefully with her family by her side.

Cindy was born on November 21, 1961 in Mansfield, OH, to father Charles Speakman and mother Helen Speakman. She grew up with two sisters and a “twin” brother. “Twins” as in Cindy shared the same birthday as her older brother but separated by two years.

Cindy married her high school sweetheart and love of her life on June 3rd, 1977. It was just several months later that she gave birth to her first child, Jessica Marie. I’ll save you the time of doing the math and just say she started her adult life at a young age.

It was just a few years later that these newlyweds decided to leave behind the party scene of what is Mansfield, OH and move to the little retirement community known as Venice, FL. Life was hard at first but they managed to persevere with the help of hard work, family, love and a lot of coffee.

Venice didn’t have much to offer in the way of activities back then. Ergo, Cindy gave birth to her second child, Charles Eugene. She assumed that the second child would be easier. She wasn’t always right. More coffee.

Cindy was a loving mother to her kids and to many others that considered her as a second mom. She was someone that people of all ages could turn to in a time of need. She would make sure you had food in your belly, clothes on your back, and would listen to your problems without passing judgement. She was whatever you needed her to be. She was an angel.

She was a very patient person but also had a fiery side and wouldn’t hesitate to let you know where you stood. Her family was sacred and those who threatened that could find themselves being the recipient of a flying container of food or maybe even being dragged out of a vehicle. She was also a jokester who loved one-liners and the occasional prank. You knew not to bend over in front of her unless you wanted to be goosed. She was silly and we loved her for it.

Cindy was an energizer bunny and it was rare to see her idle. She was extremely hard working and did things for all the right reasons. She didn’t seek praise and would hide from the spotlight. She was very selfless and had a gift of knowing the wants and needs of all those around her. She loved a good bargain and was always on the hunt. Her famous quote, “if it’s free, it’s for me.”

Cindy spent her life in the service of others and her loss will be felt by many. The speed at which she was ripped from her family and friends is difficult to process but we can all take solace knowing she didn’t suffer for long.

Cindy is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Don, and her stubborn but also loving children Jessica and Charles.

Additionally, she is survived by her older sister Debra Lacy, younger sister Tammy Speakman, mother Helen Speakman, and best friend and cousin Melinda Spayde. She is preceded in death by her father Charles Speakman and her brother Randy Speakman.

A memorial service is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Auburn Road Presbyterian Church, 642 N Auburn Road, Venice. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (800) 805-5856, or Smile Train (800) 932-9541.