Cynthia R. Stapleton

Cynthia was born on February 8, 1918 in Shafton, Yorkshire, England to Gertrude and Edward Atkinson. She had an older brother, Cleveland, who preceded her in death by many years. Cynthia was a talented musician and vocalist, attended college, and served in the British fire service as a driver and courier during WWII.

She took her first trip to the United States during 1947 to visit cousins, traveling by ship and train. Although she was planning to immigrate to Australia, her cousins encouraged her to move to Oregon and she happily did so in 1951, working as a secretary in Corvallis. She married John K. Stapleton on June 12, 1953 in Vancouver, Washington and went on to briefly live in St Helens, Oregon where her husband was teaching.

She became a mother at the age of 36 to her daughter, Jacqueline, born August 15, 1954 and son, Ted Stapleton, born September 22, 1957. She moved to SE Portland for the remainder of her life and was active in her children’s school music program and PTA. Her children lived close by as adults and she cared for her grandchildren who grew up across the street as if they were her own. Two great-grandchildren followed.

She was a passionate pianist and singer throughout her life, performing in several bands, teaching music lessons and serving as as choir director and organist at

St David's Episcopal Church and as an organist at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Her other interests included enjoying a daily cup of tea, caring for many cats as household pets, playing bridge, reading, traveling, letter writing and diary keeping.

Cynthia is survived by her husband, John Stapleton; son, Ted Stapleton; daughter, Jacqueline Authier; granddaughters, Juliette, Vanessa and Gretchen Authier and great-grandchildren, Sabine and Aidan Geary-Authier.

A memorial service will be held at Lincoln Memorial Park on Monday, June 11, 2012 at 1:00pm. Internment is at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.