Cynthia Schmidt McGee

Cynthia Schmidt McGee, age 59, succumbed to pneumonia after a 14 week battle for her life on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 in Duke University Medical Center. Born on October 15, 1962 in California; she was the daughter of Colonel Wayne Schmidt, USAF (Retired) and Joyce Grafton Schmidt, of Durham, NC.

Cynthia was raised in Alexandria, VA near Mount Vernon with her sister, Vivian "Billie" and brother, Percy. She completed her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at UVA, her Teaching Certification at Radford University and then her Master's Degree in Special Education at William and Mary. She taught K1-5 in Virginia and North Carolina, mostly 1st Grade. Most recently, she was teaching Special Education at Sycamore Creek Elementary School in Raleigh, North Carolina.

She loved teaching children and fostering dogs - great danes and walking dogs at the Animal Protection Society of Durham. She was athletic; running track, doing gymnastics and being a cheerleader at Mount Vernon High School and gymnastics in college. Her love of sports was passed onto her children, Garth and Heather. Garth played basketball, soccer, baseball and swimming and Heather swam and played soccer as well.

Cynthia was also a Sunday School Teacher, a member of Women for Trump, participated in Teaching Association activities, volunteered for the Durham County Electoral Group and had a passion for Animal Rescue.

She will be remembered by her loving family: parents - Wayne and Joyce Schmidt, siblings - Billie and Steve Houtchens of Raleigh and Percy Schmidt of South Pittsburg, TN, son - Grath and Alison McGee of Wake Forest, NC, daughter - Heather McGee, of London, England, nephew - Alex Schmidt of Lorton, VA, niece - Stephanie Houtchens of Colorado Springs, CO; other extended family and friends; and most of all by her two granddaughters - Evie and Emma McGee.

Her ashes will be buried on the Schmidt Family Farm in South Pittsburg, TN on Sunday, August 14, 2022. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Animal Protection Society of Durham - 2117 E. Club Boulevard - Durham, NC 27704.

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