Cynthia Ann Joyner

Cynthia Ann Joyner May 27, 1932 – September 10, 2021 Cynthia Ann Joyner, known by her friends and family as “CyndyAnn”, passed away peacefully in Bainbridge Island, Washington on September 10, 2021. She was 89. CyndyAnn was born in Oakland, California on May 27, 1932 to her parents Betty Frances (Reardon) Joyner and Nedd Hamilton Joyner. Her given name at birth was Betty Lourraine, however in adulthood, she officially changed her name to honor her independent, playful and artistic spirit. CyndyAnn grew up in northern California, the “land of the golden hills”, and although her childhood residences were mostly in the city, she was an ardent lover of nature and animals of all kinds. She was also deeply affected during her childhood years by World War II and the news, tales of far away places, music and leadership during that era, which influenced her later life in a variety of ways. CyndyAnn had an inspiring and adventurous career history. She worked at CalTech for a number of years and got to know many important thinkers and scientists of that time, including Richard Feynman a Nobel Prize winner, who was helpful to her later in securing her future job at Boeing. CyndyAnn found that she loved to travel and that she loved airplanes, and after working ten years for United Airlines and travelling the world extensively, she became a Safety Analyst for the Boeing 737-400 aircraft, and to do so, learned how to fly that aircraft herself. She also completed important research on the possible effects of English as a Second Language on pilot accidents, and was a resource and featured speaker on that topic worldwide at conferences. After retiring from Boeing, CyndyAnn gave her full heart and soul to her passions in life – travel, sharing food with friends, volunteering, and most importantly, her art. CyndyAnn was an accomplished artist, and her paintings were very well received, displayed in several galleries in the Pacific NorthWest during the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. Her artwork was very unique, magical, and intricate. Each painting was completed using Japanese watercolor pens in only 6 colors to result in each richly detailed and evocative piece. Every painting held a story from an event in her life - she has left a legacy of beauty to live on with us and to convey the tales of a life well lived. CyndyAnn was also a dedicated member of the Boeing Bluebills, and had many friends there. She was the creator and long-time editor of the Bluebills Flyer newsletter. The logo for ECHHO was also one of her creations. She contributed generously to our community in all ways that she could, serving on several boards including the Board of Trustees for OlyCap and for the HOA where she lived for several years. CyndyAnn was married twice, her first husband Bill Sweeney died very early in her adult life, and her second marriage ended in divorce – a blessing in disguise for her as it turned out, as it was a catalyst to leave California, leading her to many productive and happy years in Washington. CyndyAnn did not have children of her own, and was preceded in death by both of her brothers, Roger Stanton Joyner and Martin Lamont Joyner, and her beloved nephew Phillip. CyndyAnn was an adventurer, and traveled to Macchu Picchu, the Great Barrier Reef, the Arctic Circle, and all over Europe and Asia. She had several wonderful romances and great tales to accompany those memories – with her childhood friend Clete a Montana cowboy, and also Yves, a boyfriend in France who enjoyed fun intercontinental vacations with her for many years. When asked during an interview, “who is the most handsome guy you ever laid eyes on, she replied, “Jack Kennedy – got to shake hands with him. Those BLUE eyes! That tan! That aftershave!” CyndyAnn had a wicked and playful sense of humor. She was also honest, straightforward, practical, and deeply spiritual. She respected, admired and learned from the Dalai Lama, Mother Theresa, Jimmy Carter, Rumi, Eckhart Tolle, Pablo Neruda, Jesus, Mahatma Gandhi, and others. She spent several years studying the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying in classes in Seattle with Rinpoche himself, which prepared her well for this journey. There is so much more to say – how much she loved dogs, how willing she was to learn new technology (even in her advanced years), how much she appreciated fine things (quality not quantity), how informed and opinionated she was about politics (in all the best ways), how bright the light was in her blue eyes, and how easy she was to love. A small group of CyndyAnn’s close friends held a celebration of life for her as she requested, underneath her favorite Japanese maple tree near the gazebo in Chetzemoka Park, Port Townsend – including several of her favorite four-legged friends. We played music, told stories, sang together, laughed and cried, and ate her favorite strawberry ice cream all together. CyndyAnn, you have made an indelible impression on our hearts – you will not be forgotten. Blessings to you on your journey, dear one. Please consider a donation to the Elephant Sanctuary of Tennessee in CyndyAnn's honor: https://shop.elephants.com/give