Cynthia Huxoll Gardner

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, through a memorial fund in her name. Please visit http://goo.gl/pYyyO3 or http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?pxfid=440305&pg=fund&fr_id=7362.

Cynthia Anne Huxoll Gardner passed away on April 20th, 2015. She left us in her sleep under the care of Hospice Austin in her home of 30 years.

Cynthia was born in San Antonio, Texas to Ima Trammell and Vernon F. Huxoll on October 23rd, 1940. She was the oldest of three children, each separated by seven years.

Cynthia had a life-long appetite for education. She graduated from the Plan II Honors Program at the University of Texas at Austin, where she worked as a writer and editor on several journals. She also studied French in Quebec and did graduate work in Madison, Wisconsin. Cynthia had a career in technical writing for computer software makers that lasted until she retired.

In the mid-1960s, Cynthia spent several pivotal years in New York City, where she worked as a social worker, spent many afternoons in the city's art museums, and developed photographs of her New York life in her dark room. During this time she traveled the world, spending six months in Greece and making trips to many destinations throughout Europe. She did not hesitate to travel alone and found friends and travel companions along the way.

Cynthia was a passionate supporter of civil rights and equal rights for women and an opponent of the Vietnam War. She participated in many marches and sit-ins in the late 1960s and 1970s and captured portraits and crowd scenes during these historic events.

Cynthia enjoyed motorcycling and drove with her husband through Mexico and around the U.S., camping on beaches and, as always, taking photos.

Cynthia is survived by her ex-husband and life-long friend James Gardner and her son and daughter-in-law John and Jamie Gardner, all of Austin. Shortly before her passing, Cynthia welcomed her granddaughter, Julia Hattie Gardner, to the world. Other survivors include her sister and brother-in-law Judith Huxoll Thomas and Mike Thomas of Laramie, Wyoming, and her brother and sister-in-law Vernon F. (Rick) Huxoll and Cyndi Alvarez of Wimberley, Texas.