Cynthia (Cyndee) McDaniel

Cynthia “Cyndee” Anne McDaniel

February 11, 1962 – March 6, 2014

Those who were blessed with the opportunity to know and spend time with Cyndee, understand that she lived her life with a great zest for fun and adventure, a huge capacity for compassion, a love for travel and art, a spirit always there for friends, and a love of family which knew no limitations. These qualities mixed with her infectious laugh, beautiful smile, and a splash of humor and sassiness always kept those around her in check, engaged, and in love with her.

Cyndee was born on February 11, 1962 at Christ Hospital in Oaklawn, Illinois. Her parents were Winona A. Foreman / Golden and James Ross Foreman. Cyndee lived the first three years of her life in Chicago, then in South Holland, Illinois until 1977. Family and friends tell stories of how at a very early age Cyndee was a fiercely independent soul. Her standard response to unwanted assistance was, “I can do it myself.” This independent quality stayed constant throughout her life.

Cyndee grew up with her older brother Ray Arthur Foreman. She adored Ray and they were extremely close. Although Ray was 4 ½ years older, little Cyndee always found a way to be near Ray and his friends. Cyndee loved the boys, this attitude never changed, but Ray’s friend’s attitudes did change as she grew into a beautiful young woman.

Ray’s accidental death in May of 2011 had a profound impact on Cyndee. It was a sudden and tragic loss that cast her into a period of introspection, leading her to question her most closely held beliefs. She came through this period with her beliefs and dedications not only intact but stronger than ever. Although her famous smile returned, those closest to her could sense that the loss of her brother forever altered the carefree sparkle in her eyes.

As a young girl Cyndee fell in love with dancing. At the age of three she enrolled in dance classes. She studied and became an accomplished Hawaiian dancer, a good tap dancer, and in her own words “an okay” ballet dancer; she also discovered a great love for jazz dance. Her love of dancing never left her, but like many of us who studied a discipline during our youth she never pursued this passion into her adult life. Nonetheless, when asked, she’d slip on one of her grass skirts and entertain the family with a hip-shaking Hawaiian dance. She also loved dancing the night away with her husband.

Cyndee attended school in South Holland, Illinois until 1977 when (due to her father’s health) her family needed to leave behind the cold winters of Illinois. Her family moved to sunny Vista, California where she finished her high-school years and graduated from Vista High School. Cyndee went on to earn her AA degree from Palomar Jr. College in 1981. After Palomar she studied and graduated from Radiology-Technology school in San Diego in 1983 and became a certified X-Ray technician. She worked at Tri-City Medical Center until 1986. In 1986 lacking the satisfaction she though she would achieve in her chosen profession she resigned. Soon after, she enrolled and graduated from Cosmetology School. She joined her mother’s business; JB’s Hair Fashions in Carlsbad. They worked alongside each other until 1994.

On September 18, 1988 Cyndee married the love of her life, Rankin Hart McDaniel, at the Grand Tradition Resort in Fallbrook, California. Dedicated to strong family values Cyndee worked tirelessly to create a beautiful home in Carlsbad with Rankin. Then on January 28, 1994 the blessing for which Cyndee prayed arrived, a beautiful, healthy, baby boy, Devin Hart McDaniel. Cyndee dedicated the rest of her life to raising Devin and creating a strong, loving family.

As Devin grew up and enrolled at Magnolia Elementary School, Cyndee began volunteering at the school. She developed and coordinated class projects, helped students who were having difficulty with reading skills and watched over Devin and his friends. During his Valley Middle School years she served as Treasurer and then President of the Parent Teacher Association. She promoted, supported and cheered Devin on through his Carlsbad High School years. In 2012 he graduated and was accepted to USC. She was glowing with pride for her son.

Cyndee loved to travel. It did not matter if she was camping by her favorite Alpine mountain lakes in the Eastern Sierras or sitting on a beach in Jamaica; she would pour herself into the planning and organization of these adventures. Ultimately, she created wonderful memories of family adventures in Scotland, London, Paris, Portofino, Bologna, Rome, Florence and Venice. While on extended Safari in South Africa, she slept in Earnest Hemmingway style tent camps. She gazed out over the cool Atlantic waters off the Cape of Good Hope, sipping a delicate South African wine and flashing one of her mischievous smiles at the camera. These vacations are now cherished family memories, forged with her love and tireless efforts in the pursuit of family fun.

For Cyndee, all holidays came along with family celebrations; but, one holiday will always standout for those who knew her best, Christmas. There could never be enough lights. Exasperated she’d say, “why did this stupid string of lights go out?” The yearly battle between Cyndee and lights became a legendary family tradition. Boxes upon boxes of more ornaments than anyone could ever hang on the tree came down from the family storage room. Decorating was not just putting up a tree and hanging a stocking, it was a family production that took weeks and she loved every second of it. In the end, her home was a winter wonderland full of both treasured family Christmas heirlooms and new decorations which each year seemed to appear from nowhere. Cyndee could not pass up a Christmas store. Although the material expressions of her love for the season are left behind, she will be missed greatly during the holidays for years to come. While with us she taught us all more than we thought we could ever know about the true spirit of family Christmas.

Cyndee always said she was guided through life by the left side of her brain, the creative side. Her creative abilities were clear to all and came shining through in the home she loved, decorated, and built for her family. Strangers and friends alike would comment saying, “your home is so beautiful, Cyndee. It feels so warm, comfortable and loving.” Cyndee had the ability to take disconnect pieces and put them together in such a way that they all fit perfectly. She used this special ability to guide her in all she encountered throughout her life.

Cyndee loved art and spent years searching for an art medium in which she could immerse herself, one with which she could express and share her deepest emotions. Over the years she dabbled in painting, sculpting, graphics, and photography but never felt what she called, “that feeling of connection.” Finally, she discovered a medium that fit her soul and abilities perfectly, mosaics. Even though Cyndee only found this art form over the last few years of her life she embraced it wholeheartedly. She passed the days in her studio listening to her favorite music while working and creating what were in her words, “some good pieces, and some well they aren’t going to the gallery” pieces. This provided her with some of the most peaceful, tranquil and satisfying moments of her life.

Cyndee worked hard studying and honing her mosaic skills and when she was ready she took a big step by booking a public art gallery opening for her work. On the eve of her first showing she was nervous, “is my artwork worthy?” She held her breath and in the end the event was a success. People loved her work, people bought her pieces and her confidence grew from the support and encouragement her family provided. She accepted with pride the acknowledgement, respect, and acceptance she received from those she had for so long looked up to; her fellow artists.

Cyndee had made the grade; she had fulfilled her life long ambition of becoming an artist. All this happened because of one beautiful unique talent she possessed, as printed on her business card she was capable of, “creating art out of broken pieces.” Pieces of broken tile, glass and mortar were the tools of her mosaic world, but she applied her special skill to all she found, broken or damaged, throughout her life.

After a courageous year long battle with cancer, fought and endured with an unparalleled level of grace, and always with a smile for visitors that said, “hello, come hug me, I’m so happy to see you” and always ended with an, “I love you.” Cyndee passed away at 8:30 pm on Thursday, March 6, 2014. At the time of her passing she was at home surrounded by those she loved. With her son Devin holding one hand and her husband Rankin holding her other, she looked into their eyes and then closed her own before slipping peacefully into the arms of the Lord.

Where a Beautiful

Soul has been

Beautiful memories remain

Cyndee is survived by her loving husband Rankin, son Devin, mother Winona A. Foreman / Golden, sister-in law Cindy Foreman, her “little buddy” nephew Ross William Foreman, and extended family and friends.

Cyndee leaves behind a legacy of love and dedication to family, close friendships, warmth of heart and soul, compassion and generosity. Everyone whose lives she touched will dearly remember, and miss

Cynthia “Cyndee” Anne McDaniel.

“What the heart has once owned

and had, it shall never lose”

- Henry Ward, Beecher