Cynthia Ann “Cindy” Tumminello Keen died at the age of 69 on August 8 in Arcadia, California from complications resulting from Inclusion Body Myositis. Services will be held at Turner and Stevens Live Oak Mortuary, 200 E. Duarte Rd., Monrovia, California on Thursday August 16th, at 10am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Inclusion Body Myositis Foundation (ibmfoundation.org).
Cindy was born on October 24, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois to Joseph Tumminello and Helen (Rymek) Tumminello. She attended St. Peter’s Catholic School in Skokie, Illinois, St. Scholastica Academy in Chicago and received her R.N. degree from St. Anne’s Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago.
She proudly served as a nurse in the United States Air Force from 1970 to 1972, achieving the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Cindy met her future husband, Chuck, while stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Cindy and Chuck moved to California in 1972 and were married on June 9, 1973.
In 1972 Cindy began her 42-year tenure at the City of Hope National Medical Center, Pediatric Oncology Unit, in Duarte, California. While providing loving care to her young patients with life-threatening illnesses, Cindy would also comfort distressed families; which is why she was honored with the Daisy Award in Nursing for providing outstanding treatment and care to her patients. This was one of many awards and recognitions received. During her time with City of Hope, she also served as both a mentor and friend to her many colleagues throughout her career.
Cindy’s love of her dogs (Puff, Dixie, Lucky, Abbey, Zoey, and Sadie) took second only to her never ending love of her grandchildren (Cooper, Wyatt, Aria, and Bria) who were the light of her life. She continued to play an active role in their lives despite her illness.
In 2009, Cindy was diagnosed with Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM); an inflammatory muscle disease with no cure and no effective treatment options. She bravely fought IBM while hoping research would eventually find a cure.
Cindy was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her beloved husband of 45 years, Charles “Chuck” Keen, her loving children Jennifer (Phil) Zych and Scott (Elizabeth) Keen, grandsons Cooper and Wyatt Zych, granddaughters Aria and Bria Greene, sisters Monica (David) Penninger and Laurie (Paul) Schumacher, many nieces, nephews and friends.
Forever and always in our love.
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