Born October 1, 1958, Cyndyn was a week late coming into the
world. But, true to her life standard, she was perfect before making her
appearance into the world—beautiful, full head of fabulous blond hair, peaches,
and cream complexion and
that look we all came to know and love – the one that said, “I’m in charge!”
Cyndyn grew up in beautiful Boise, Idaho. She was a happy,
bubbly little girl with a zest for life. Her love for camping started young as
camping was a (nearly) every weekend experience growing up, with Mom, Dad,
little sister Diana, and often extended family. The whole family would head for
the mountains with the dune buggy in tow.
The other piece that started early for Cyndyn was her love of
spending time with family. She was close with Baba, her grandfather, and Nanny,
her grandmother. Baba & Cyndy (as he called her) had a standing date every
Wednesday, where they planned something fun and always ended with an ice cream
cone.
In school, Cyndyn was a Girl Scout, a drill team member, sang
in the choir, and participated in sports. She loved to ski and often would
catch the bus to Bogus Basin by herself. Skiing continued to be a favorite
past-time throughout her life.
At Boise State University, she met a young man from
Grangeville, Idaho, Randy Bridge. When Randy first entered Cyndyn's world, it
was apparent those two were perfect for each other, soulmates destined to spend
a life together. So, on May 20, 1978, they married at the Cathedral of the
Rockies in Boise in front of a church full of family and friends.
The new Bridge's
settled in Boise, where they built their first home together, with their own
hands (and the hands of many friends and family). The classy duplex they built
held many fond memories through the four years they lived there.
They both loved the pacific northwest, and in 1982, they
moved to Seattle. Cyndyn and Randy explored everything Seattle had to offer in
the five years they lived there. Here is where Cyndyn developed her deep love
of a cool, rainy day, a great latte, Nordstrom, and Place Pigalle. They often
spent the weekend perusing the fish market and gathering the ingredients for
Cyndyn to perfect a recipe. In Seattle, she mastered the art of fettuccine
alfredo, now a family classic often requested for birthdays and special
occasions.
Cyndyn and Randy had many adventures both near and far before
their two sons were born. Becoming a mother fulfilled her true calling. Julian
was born in 1989 and Maxwell in 1991. Cyndyn and Randy taught their sons early
their love of skiing, camping, Yellowstone, and family. They spent winters
skiing and summers camping as a family, with Yellowstone always on the
itinerary.
Nature was where Cyndyn liked to be, with drives into the
mountains being a regular occurrence. Fittingly she loved to garden, with her
backyard being a point of pride and her place of solace.
An incredible cook, Cyndyn was the definition of the
consummate host. Having people over was something she loved, from barbecues in
the summer, Thanksgiving in the Fall, to her annual Christmas Eve gathering and
everything in-between, from birthdays and CU tailgates to a random Saturday.
This love of cooking and hosting was also passed down to both sons.
Cyndyn really relished having her family around her. Even COVID
couldn't stop her as she found creative ways to get her family together. For example, she hosted COVID-safe socially distanced movie nights in her backyard
by renting a projector and screen, complete with a popcorn machine (and peanut
M&Ms)!
A prolific person, Cyndyn was an accomplished businesswoman
in addition to her many other personal achievements. Building and running with
Randy and her parents, first Caretakers of America (1986) and then the
Homestead at Lakewood (1998).
Cyndyn had many gifts, from staging a home, picking the
perfect outfit, and hosting an incredible party (as mentioned). In addition,
she had the gift of grace under pressure, kindness, courage, and poise.
She also had the gift of being a great friend and listener, a
cherished daughter, a treasured sister and aunt, and the perfect Mom to her
boys and Randy's only love. Cyndyn worked hard throughout her life to create
memories with those she loved. These memories will forever be the legacy of
Cyndyn, our dear friend, daughter, sister, wife, and mother.
