Cynthia "Candy" F. Saunders Maltese

Cynthia F. Maltese entered this life on March 1, 1956 in Norfolk, Virginia to the late Mr.James Saunders and the late Mrs. Marjie N. (nee Wicker) Albury. As a child growing up Cynthia was given her nickname by her family for a birthmark located on her thigh that resembled a Hershey Bar, thus naming her "Candy". She later moved to the Lake Worth area and worked for several years as an EKG Technician and prior as a Health Care Worker. Cynthia raised her four children with love and devotion, attending not only to their physical needs but also to their emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual needs. Cynthia was a loving and caring person; always selfless giving to others before herself; loving life and all of its beauty that surrounded her. Her inner beauty shown forth as much as her exterior beauty showed from on top. She always showed compassion and empathy for those less fortunate and coupled with her great sense of humor was able to brighten up the darkest of days. Cynthia loved to spoil her grandchildren not just with material items but by sharing all of her love. Cynthia’s love for nature was effervescent in the way she listened to the sounds blowing on the breeze, from birds singing in the trees, to the rolling calls at the shoreline on a bright day sitting at the beach, gazing in awe at natures gifts of shells and all of the churned up treasures and the soliloquy of thoughts dancing in her head of all God's gifts and inspiring presence. Cynthia also loved the arts and crafts, listening to joyful music, planting beautiful flowers in her gardens, talking and sharing all day long with family and friends. She was a devout Christian and gave much of her time, energy and resources to Trinity Church, always giving from the heart. Twenty years ago Cynthia met the love of her life at a celebration for a common friend and later married her husband Thomas. Thomas and Cynthia together walked the "road of life" and met each challenge along the way with courage, patience and diligence, always remembering that strength did come in numbers. Until on September 6, 2012 they reached a cross road, Thomas had to stay and Cynthia had to walk on into the light of "God's presence" with her beloved parents, Bill Ottesen and Margie Ottesen and her brother, Michael Ottesen by her side, saying farewell to her family and friends that she had left behind. For Cynthia had fought the fight and won the victory after a courageous battle with cancer. Cynthia leaves behind to cherish her memories for a lifetime, a loving and devoted husband, Thomas A. Maltese; four loved children, Christien O'Keeffe and his wife, Stephanie, Craig O'Keeffe, Donald Patterson and Amanda Patterson, her two admired brothers, William Ottesen and Jim Saunders; and her two loving sisters, Christine Alexander and Jamey Dail and her three treasured grandchildren, Sierra O'Keeffe, Mia O'Keeffe and Sean O'Keeffe. A Celebration of her life will be held 2PM, Tuesday, September 11, 2012 in Hillcrest Memorial Park, 6411 Parker Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33405, (561) 582-4131. Online Condolences can be shared at: www.mizellfavillezern.com.