Cynthia Irene "Cindy" Crocker

Cynthia Irene 'Cindy' (Vallera) Crocker of Methuen; 47 On Tuesday, October 28, 2008, The Lord must have needed a good navigator and he called on Cynthia Irene "Cindy" (Vallera) Crocker. Cindy passed away at home in the arms of her loving husband, Jeff, and surrounded by family. Cindy was born in Lowell, on February 8th, 1961, and moved to Methuen at the age of 6. She was the daughter of Pat and Gloria Vallera of Methuen. She attended Methuen Schools and graduated from Methuen High School in 1979. She also attended classes at Northern Essex and numerous mortgage/banking seminars. Cindy was in the banking business since the age of 16, starting at the old Arlington Trust. Prior to her illness, she was employed by Affiliated Mortgage out of Wakefield; but, basically, worked from home. She was a marvel at helping people with their finances from credit problems to securing the right loan. She was always proud that she never sold a "bad loan". Cindy was the most loving and caring person I have ever met as anyone would attest. Her 2 boys, Evan and Brad as well as her step-children, which she never referred to as step-children, Bronwyn, Jeff and Hillary were her world. They always knew who to come to for good counsel with life's dilemmas. She would usually say, "this too will pass." Her love of family was like a rock. We were blessed to have her. You often hear the term, "soul mates" Cindy and I went beyond that. We were as one. Our occupations afforded us the time to be together. While we only had 11 years together, it was more full than some folks who have years longer. When we met, I was into hunting and fishing. Not long after, Cindy took the Firearms Safety Course and I had the best hunting partner a guy could ask for. It was only natural because Cindy loved to walk. She and "Bo", her Golden would easily log 5 miles a day. All the guys loved her and she was invited to numerous "Deer Camps." in The Berkshires and Pennsylvania. One of her greatest passions was our home in Florida especially, when the kids came down. She and I spent countless hours fishing, walking the beach and admiring sunsets. Also, her love of photography included pictures of sunsets, dolphins and crazy birds. And when it was time to chill, she would dive into a book. Her love of reading was undeniable. She got that from Mom. Our road trips were legendary. She was always at her boys' ball games. When Evan was playing College ball, we always had the backpack ready to hit some school in New England then on to Ohio. her love of gardening was renowned. Every year, we were going to cut back and sure enough, the flower bed would double in size. Cindy was a very giving person. Just this past January, she had finished a round of treatments and insisted that we run the fire department/M.D.A. Ice Fishing Derby. She loved helping out at the seniors bean suppers also. She was the ultimate "Jakes" partner. When we joined the church family at The Forest Street Union Church in Methuen, sure enough, she's helping with the Spring/Fall cleanups, distributing food for the needy at the holidays and her favorite, helping out with The Pumpkin Patch. That was Cindy, just a good person. Sweet dreams, my love. Your strength will keep us strong. She will be sorely missed by her mom and dad, Pat and Gloria Vallera of Methuen; her loving husband, Jeff; her children, Evan Tardugno and his companion, Breanne Van Offerman, Brad Tardugno and his companion, Meredith Horgan, Bronwyn Crocker and her companion, Nicholas "Nick" DiMauro , Jeffrey Crocker and his new bride, Alison "Ali" (DeAngelis) Crocker, and Hillary (Crocker) DiMauro and her husband, John. Cindy leaves a sister, Susan Vallera and her companion, Steven Thornhill of Methuen; and her brothers, Peter Vallera and his companion, Kathleen Silveira of Methuen, Tony Vallera of N. Carolina, Patrick Vallera of Methuen and Timothy Vallera also of Methuen. Cindy also leaves several nieces, nephews and her cousins, especially, the "Twisted Sisters"; several aunts and uncles, and countless friends she had made over the years. CROCKER Calling hours will be on Monday, November 3, 2008 from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Charles F. Dewhirst Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen. Funeral services will be on Tuesday November 4 at 1:00 p.m. in Forest Street Union Church, 15 Forest St., Methuen. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581, Forest Street Union Church, 15 Forest St., Methuen, MA 01844, or to V.N.A. Care Network and Hospice, Development Office, 5 Federal St., Danvers, MA 01923-3687. To send an online condolence, please visit, www.dewhirstfuneral.com.