Cynthia Sue Cawthorne

Cynthia Sue Cawthorne, of Mackinac Island and East Lansing, passed away Friday, September 2, after a sudden and unexpected two-day illness. She passed at Munson Hospital, Traverse City, after being air-lifted from Mackinac Island.

Cynthia was born April 11, 1949, in Hart, Michigan to William J. and Hazel Margaret (Field) Knoth, of Shelby, Michigan. She graduated co-salutatorian from Shelby high school and attended college at Whitewater State (Wisconsin) and Graceland College, and graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She loved children and was employed as an elementary school teacher in Shelby and Fowlerville, Michigan. On August 21, 1976, she married Dennis Cawthorne, then a state legislator, at St. Ann’s Church, Mackinac Island. With Dennis, Cynthia traveled to many countries in North, South, and Central America, Europe, and the South Pacific, and met three U.S. presidents.

Cynthia is survived by her husband of 46 years, Dennis; her two adoring sons, Brevin of Caledonia and Mackinac Island and Chase of East Lansing; five grandchildren, Kaden, Tyler, Chloe, Jayce, and Ellie of Caledonia, all of whom were at her bedside the day before her passing; very special daughters-in-law; a sister, Beth Buyce, of West Olive, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was pre-deceased, all within the last year, by her brother Bill Knoth Jr., sister Kathy Green, and brother-in-law Roger Green.

Cynthia was well known in the Mackinac Island community for the mutual closeness and devotion of her and her grandchildren. Family was the centerpiece of her life.

Funeral services will be Monday, September 12 at 11 a.m. at St. Ann’s Church, Mackinac Island, with burial to follow at St. Ann’s cemetery.
A reception for family and all friends will then be held beginning at 1:30 at the Village Inn which in 1980-81 she helped design, build, and decorate.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mackinac Island Community Foundation, Medical Center Fund, PO Box 933, Mackinac Island, Ml 49757