Cynthia Eltringham Hudgins

Cynthia “Cindy” Eltringham Hudgins, died July 12, 2016 at her home in Newport News, Va. Cindy was born October 8, 1945, the eldest child of the late John Alvin “JAE” and Jean Rose Burkett Eltringham. She was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Everett W. Hudgins, III, her brother, John Alvin Eltringham, Jr. and her beloved canine companion, George. She leaves behind to cherish her memory, three children, J. Christopher Hudgins of Harleysville, Pa.; Brian Hudgins of Greenbelt, Md.; Erica Heather Brown of Christiansburg, Va.; their spouses Debra, Nicole and Eric; and treasured grandsons, Zachary, Ian, Duncan, Cameron and Schuyler Brown, all of Christiansburg, Va. She is survived by her brother, Peter Eltringham and his wife Randy; a close cousin, Toni Hogg, along with nieces and nephews. Also left to mourn her loss are special friends, Francisca Collazo-Diggs, Jenna Ross, Barbara Makinson, and Cheryl Hudgins, and her most recent canine companion, U’She who were all a comfort to her in her final years.

As a science teacher with Hampton City Public Schools for 13 years (the majority of which were at C. Alton Lindsay Middle School), Cindy loved pouring knowledge into the lives of her students. She also served as head chaperone for many school trips to the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Smithsonian Museum, and a once in a lifetime tour for America’s Bicentennial that culminated with July 4th fireworks on the Mall in Washington, D.C. After retiring in 1981, she created an in-depth program which instructed students in proper science project design. She traveled to all the local middle schools giving her presentation which is where she earned the special moniker “The Science Project Lady”. She was honored for her volunteer efforts by the Tidewater Science Congress in 1996 as their “Science Educator of the Year”.

Cindy was a lover of all things red, heart shaped, celtic and artsy. Her children remember many years of being dragged to arts and craft shows around Virginia. Watching her five grandsons grow up brought her great joy and she would tell of all their latest exploits to anyone who would listen. Her immense love for them was evidenced in the many pictures she took documenting their lives.

In December 2008, Cindy suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. While this left her with significant impairment and compounded into other medical problems that deprived her of her much valued independence, she never lost her sense of humor. She was quite proud to call herself a “Stroke Survivor” for over 7 years.

Please join us in celebrating Cindy’s life at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home in Hampton, Va. on Monday, August 22 at 11:00am. The service will be officiated by the Reverend Dr. Paul (Peter) Hogg, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Tidewater Science Congress at www.tidewatersciencecongress.org.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton, VA 23666.