| Graduation Year | Class of 1983 |
| Date of Passing | Sep 28, 2008 |
| About | ANNANE, CYNTHIA "CINDY" LOU GILBERT, 43, of Winter Garden, FL, died Sunday, September 28, 2008. Born August 4, 1965, in Forth Worth, TX, she was the daughter of Bill and the late Lucille Palmer Gilbert of Winter Garden, FL. Although born in Texas, Cynthia moved to Florida in 1968, where she attended Patton's Pre-School in Pine Hills. As a youngster, she was well traveled, having lived in New Hampshire, and Elkhart and El Paso, TX, before settling permanently with her family in Florida in the mid-1970s. She was a Girl Scout. She was a 1983 graduate of Maynard Evans High School, where she played flute in the band. After high school, Cynthia attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX, before graduating from the University of Central Florida in 1987 with a degree in mathematics. After working for Attorney Dan Le Fever in Winter Park for many years, Cynthia pursued her dream at age 39 and began teaching math at Evans High School Ninth Grade Center, moving with that ninth grade class to Evans High School. One of her joys was being able to see those ninth graders mature and graduate. She had great love and respect for her students and fellow teachers, and they returned that love many times, especially after she suffered a reoccurrence of ovarian cancer, which she had overcome eight years earlier. She was greatly disappointed when her illness prevented her from being with her students in 2008, although she was able to briefly attend their graduation. She was also disappointed with missing her 25th high school class reunion. This past spring, Cynthia was greatly honored to be offered a permanent teaching contract and had looked forward to returning to her students. This accomplishment spoke highly of her commitment to her students and her love of teaching. Although she began treatment immediately after being diagnosed in January, Cynthia's brave battle was not enough, and she eventually succumbed to the disease. In addition to teaching, Cynthia loved professional baseball, especially the Astros and the Yankees. She was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys. During both of her illness, she was thrilled by hot air balloon, acrobatic airplane rides and riding motorcycles. She loved to travel and has been to France Belgium, Mexico, Spain and Germany. Cynthia loved American hist-ory, and this past July 4, she ventured to Mount Rushmore to watch fireworks. She also liked Seinfeld and other silly television comedies. Cynthia was a member of Winter Garden Methodist Church. Besides her father, Cynthia is survived by her brother Harlon, his wife Stephanie, and their three sons, Georgie, Tommy, and Jack, who live in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Cynthia visited Harlon's family this past spring and enjoyed being with them. Cynthia's mother, Lucille, passed away January. Cynthia and Lucille's roots go deep into East Texas. Especially in Elkhart and the Elkhart Methodist Church. Cynthia will be laid to rest near Elkhart in Denson Springs Cemetery beside her mother and many of her ancestors. Her grandparents were the late Annie Cord Palmer of Elkhart, TX, and the late Mattie and William Gilbert of Livingston, TX. Cynthia is also survived by an uncle, Bobby Gilbert, and his wife Lisa, and an aunt, Linda Gilbert Addison, all of Houston, TX. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her uncle, Louis Palmer, and is survived by her Aunt Annette Palmer of Vidor, TX. Cynthia is also survived by several cousins and other family members to whom she was very close. She was greatly comforted during her illness by her good friend, Corey Maxey and by long-time family friends, Margaret Sauer and Mary Gurley, whom the family would like to thank for their endless support. |
