Cynthia A Maville

On Monday, October 18, 2021, Cynthia A. Maville rejoined several of the people she loved most in this world, who had predeceased her, including her parents, Shelby and Pearl Bowers, her dear friend, Margaret (Meg) Schelling, Jerry Wickam and Rick Hayden.

Cindy was born on October 25, 1942, the only child of Shelby and Pearl Bowers.  She grew up in Leaf River, Illinois, the classic midwestern small town, a classic midwestern small town girl.  She was active in all things classic midwestern small town girls are active in, including a brief stint as a cheerleader, band, chorus, sextet and mischief.

After graduation, she worked and lived in Chicago.  She later found her career and worked as a medical transcriptionist in Urbana, Illinois, and, for many years, at Highland Hospital in Belvidere, Illinois.  As a result of that experience, she became an “expert” on all things medical and was affectionately referred to by the family as “Dr. Cindy”.

Cindy married a high school classmate, John Maville, in 1966 and they moved to Belvidere in 1967.  They had two wonderful children, John (J.J.) Maville and Mary Elizabeth (Betsy) Baker.  More recently, they added grandchildren, Jack and Elle Maville, and Randy Baker’s children, Julia and Danny Baker.

Cindy loved humor, giving or receiving, and to laugh and not much pleased her more than a dinner with family or friends filled with laughter and warmth.  And she was a great cook and hostess.

Cindy never met a person she didn’t like and most of them reciprocated.  She befriended countless strangers, next-seat passengers on airplanes, receptionists, nurses, neighbors and others.  She invariably got them to open up and tell her things that were important to them.  And she remembered what they told her!  Weeks, months or years later, she would remember their children’s names and other amazing details.  Cindy was completely comfortable conversing with the wealthiest and most educated person in the room and the poorest and most disadvantaged. 

Sadly, in her final years, Cindy suffered from severe and painful osteoporosis, which limited her mobility. The family is thankful for, believe it or not, texting, and for the many wonderful family members and friends who kept in touch with Cindy that way.  Particular thanks are owed to Marcia Henneberry, Steve and Pat Udell (who did much more than that), Eleanor Heidenreich (another high school classmate), Gretchen Thornbloom (another high school classmate), and Brenda and Curt Tobin. 

Cindy was blessed with a remarkable and loving relationship with her daughter-in-law, Karla Maville, which gave her an immense amount of pleasure.

Her children were amazing in their love, attention, care and concern for their mother always.

The family owes a special thanks to Cindy’s friend, Billie Jones, who lovingly cared for Cindy in her last weeks, and to Mercyhealth Hospice.

In addition to her parents and many friends and relatives, Cindy was predeceased by her in-laws, Arnold and Dorothy Maville, and her brothers-in-law, Michael Maville and Rick Hayden.

Cindy is survived by her husband, her children and grandchildren, her daughter-in-law, Karla Maville, her son-in-law, Randy Baker, her sister-in-law, Merry Hayden, and her brother-in-law, Rick (Janice) Maville.

Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, should be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at Pinecrest Manor in Mount Morris, Illinois; Mercyhealth Hospice; and Rockford Rescue Mission.

The family is being assisted by Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services, 218 West Hurlbut Avenue, Belvidere, Illinois and Finch Funeral Home, 405 East Hitt Street,

Mt. Morris, Illinois.  There will be a visitation at Anderson on Thursday, October 21, 2021, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 p.m.  There will be a second visitation and a funeral service at United Methodist Church, 104 East 3rd Street, Leaf River, Illinois on Tuesday, October 26, 2021; visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and the service will be held at 11:00 a.m..  Cindy said “It began in Leaf River and it will end in Leaf River.”

Burial will be private.

We love you.

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